Rio Olympics 2016: Are the Aussies learning sportsmanship?

Australia's Kyle Chalmers gets a hug from Cameron McEvoy after winning the 100m freestyle finals. Photo / AP

An Australian swimmer has shown incredible sportsmanship after losing a race he was a hot favourite to win.

Cameron McEvoy came to the Olympics as a raging favourite for the 100m freestyle event, but he was never in the race for the final, finishing seventh and watching 18-year old compatriot Kyle Chalmers take out the gold medal.

Despite how gutted he must have been, McEvoy fronted up to Australian television after the race. Rather than wallow in self-pity, he made sure his teammate got all the attention he deserved.

"Not the best (race). My preparation was good all year round and it was probably just the last week or so I imagine that has probably thrown me," McEvoy said.

"But enough about me. Kyle's come in and done another PB on top of the PB he did at the (Olympic) trials. He's just turned 18 and he's an Olympic champion - that's bloody wonderful isn't it."

"That's all I can say about myself and I guess the rest of Australia can get excited over a young 18-year-old at the start of his career," McEvoy told FoxSports.

"He's an Olympic champion at 18 and from what I see he's got a lot more to improve on. Not to take away from his gold but that's amazing. Just to see the prospect of what he can achieve after what he can achieve now."

McEvoy's words struck a chord with the Australian public.

Take a bow Cam McEvoy - brilliantly spoken post race. You'd be pretty happy to have a teammate like that #allclass @AUSOlympicTeam

— Caty Price (@caty_price) August 11, 2016

Chalmers incredible, but how's Cam McEvoy's grace in the face of what must be crushing disappointment? Absolute class. #Rio2016

— Peter Hanlon (@PeterGHanlon) August 11, 2016

Cam McEvoy great sportsmanship. Ate his disappointment and gave Kyle Chalmers a magnificent tribute. #champ. #Rio2016

— Cameron Williams (@camjwilliams) August 11, 2016

While he would have surely rather been hailed for his success rather than his sportsmanship, McEvoy - a six-time medal winner at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a bronze medallist in the 4x100m freestyle relay in Rio, is only 22, so he should have plenty more opportunities to stand upon that dais in the years to come.

- with news.com.au