Australia’s swimming team won a gold medal in relay at the Commonwealth Games despite an awkward love triangle that caused drama among some members.
Body language from swimmers on Friday night showed tensions running high between a former pop star turned swimmer, who has been dating 11-time winner Miley Cyrus. his Olympic medalist and her bitter ex.
Australian star Emma McKeon, who won seven medals at the Tokyo Olympics, dated teammate Kyle Chalmers for a few months last year.
Since the split, McKeon has begun a relationship with pop star turned swimmer Cody Simpson, who was a pool prodigy and is now back in the sport.
Exes McKeon and Chalmers joined Mollie O’Callaghan and William Zu Yang in the 4x100m medley relay final at Sandwell Aquatics Center but were the only team not to raise their hands in unison before the race started.
Then, despite winning the gold medal, the celebrations were a bit awkward when McKeon and Chalmers didn’t shake hands after winning the first day of the Birmingham Olympics.
The Australian swimming team won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games medley relay despite a bad feeling between former contestants Emma McKeon (far left) and Kyle Chalmers (centre) )
The love triangle began when Emma McKeon began dating teammate Cody Simpson (pictured together) following a brief relationship with Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers last year.
Australian sprinter William Yang and young shooter Mollie O’Callaghan both quickly shook McKeon’s hand but Chalmers didn’t care, instead they were chatting with the Canadian team.
O’Callaghan then stood between the former pair as the team took to the podium to receive their medals.
At a later television interview, Chalmers assured that Yang and O’Callaghan were between him and a former flame McKeon, who is now dating pop star turned swimmer Cody Simpson.
Chalmers also failed to mention McKeon and O’Callaghan when reflecting on the swim team.
‘It’s (swimming in the middle a little bit different) but it’s still against the boys, isn’t it?’ he say.
‘You’re still racing against those fastest boys anyway, so it doesn’t feel much different.’
Kyle Chalmers still harbors a degree of resentment towards ex-girlfriend Emma McKeon if his icy behavior on the first night of competition at the Commonwealth Games is any guide.
Emma McKeon (left) and Kyle Chalmers (second from right) created an icy atmosphere as they won gold in the 4x100m medley freestyle relay
To make matters worse for Chalmers, McKeon’s new flame Cody Simpson is also in Birmingham to compete at the games.
Simpson, who has dated Miley Cyrus, Bella Thorne and Gigi Hadid, was once a child prodigy but later turned to acting and music before returning to the pool in 2019.
Australian swim team officials certainly feel McKeon and Kyle Chalmers can move on from their turbulent dating past – but tensions from the relationship clearly remain, at least in Chalmers’ eyes.
At the national trials in April, Chalmers faced accusations that he was trying to push Simpson out of the team when he announced he would compete in the 50m butterfly for the Commonwealth Games – the same event that Simpson tried to qualify.
Both men eventually earned their spot on the team at the 50m butterfly – but in shock they failed qualified for the final in Birmingham, making it past their respective semi-finals.
Simpson’s pet event was the 100m butterfly, and he was delighted with his efforts in the 50m butterfly semi-final.
In the photo: Swimmers Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon discover they’ve formed a team
Pictured: Australian swimmers Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon during their trip to Barcelona
Simpson told Channel 7. “It was good to have that (swimming) at the beginning of the week,” Simpson told Channel 7. “It was special.
‘It’s a fire that never leaves, never goes out. I have to scratch. 2024 (Olympic Games in Paris) will be a bonus.
‘I’m here to try to get as much experience as I can. I was quite relieved when they told me I could swim 50 flies… that’s a good way to get a feel for the pool. ‘
Aussie head coach Rohan Taylor commended Simspon for the way he has smoothly integrated with the team.
He said: ‘Cody has a really generous, humble personality, always smiling, always encouraging and supportive.
‘He’s been fantastic, he’s a perfect fit no matter what. It was fun to have him. ‘
McKeon said: ‘Everybody has an opinion on everything and we have a really good relationship and we love each other’s company and that’s all that matters to us.
‘We get along very well. We are like best friends. It’s refreshing, peaceful and enjoyable – I’m really happy. ‘
