Chalmers boasts an impressive collection of medals, including eight Olympic medals, highlighted by a gold in the men’s 100m freestyle from Rio 2016. His trophy room also features four Youth Olympic medals from Nanjing 2014 and numerous awards from the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Oceania Games, and other top-tier swimming events. This impressive haul solidifies Chalmers' reputation as one of the best swimmers in the world.
As for his tattoos, Chalmers’ body art is equally remarkable. Initially, he had only the number 761, his Dolphins number, in Roman numerals, tattooed when he was 16. After winning three medals at his debut Summer Games in Rio 2016, including gold in the 100m freestyle and two relay bronze medals, Chalmers celebrated with Olympic rings inked on his ribs—a tradition among Aussie Olympians. He also added XXXI, the Roman numeral for 31, on his wrist, marking the 31st Olympiad, and the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius (Latin for Faster, Higher, Stronger) on his right forearm.
Just over 18 at the time, Chalmers took four days to reveal his new tattoos to his family. “I kind of went quiet on it for a little bit after Rio 2016. Mum said no more so I respected that—for a while,” Chalmers later told 7News.
However, Chalmers soon continued to add to his collection, including a hawk, the Chalmers family crest, and a map of Australia on his arms, a cow’s skull on his shin, and ‘rough’ tattoos of rap icon Snoop Dogg, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and his brother’s birth year on his legs.
Chalmers admits to some regret over his tattoos, saying he might have chosen not to get any if given a second chance. Despite this, he has come to appreciate the meaning behind each piece of ink. One of his most striking tattoos is a large crown with wings across his chest, featuring the German phrase "Nur die Starken überleben," meaning "Only the strong survive."