Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers is just 16-years-old, but he is already nearing a major crossroads in his sporting career.

His giant size 15 feet have already powered him towards comparisons with countryman and Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe. 

But he is also considered capable of following his father Brett Chalmers into a professional career in Australian rules football.

“It's really hard. Footy's in my blood and I really enjoy the sport, but I think I'm just a little bit better at swimming at the moment,” said Chalmers, who claimed a bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m relay on Sunday at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

For the last six months swimming has been the focus, with Chalmers dropping out of club football, but continuing to play for his school.

However, for the last few weeks even school football had to take a backseat.

But Aussie rules has not been discarded, with Chalmers keen to play next season under the stewardship of his dad, who will coach his senior school team in Adelaide.

“I don't think I need to make a decision yet, because I think playing football takes my mind off swimming, and I think it helps with my fitness.”

He has already broken a number of junior Australian swimming records set by Thorpe, but Chalmers, who will race in a number of events at the Games, is quick to play down the label of being the next ‘Thorpedo’.

“He made it in the sport,” Chalmers said. “He was a world record holder. He was an Olympic gold medallist and I've done nothing. I guess it's a big thing being compared to him, but I don't like to think about it much.”

The Australian swimming coach at the Nanjing 2014 Games is well placed to judge the comparisons. 

Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer coached Thorpe at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, but she says it is futile to put them side-by-side.

“He [Chalmers] has to have his own identity. I think it's really hard when people compare people. He's very unique in his own style,” Menzies-Stegbauer said.

“He has to enjoy what he's doing. He's got to understand it's a long road ahead, whichever sport he chooses. He's got to understand there's going to be plenty of ups and downs.”

YIS rgb/sg/rm