‘I’m out to break Michael Phelps’s world records at Rio 2016 Olympic Games,’ says Chad le Clos
In first of a series of exclusive interviews with some of the world’s best athletes, the South African swimmer says he is ready to shine in Brazil
Le Clos celebrates his greatest momment so far: beating Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly final at the London 2012 Games (Getty Images/Al Bello)
Chad le Clos is certainly not one to wilt under the pressure of expectation. The South African swimmer looks set to be one of the stars of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which he says he will enter with the expectations of a nation “on his shoulders”. And, as if that was not enough, the 23-year-old has now revealed an ambitious target: to break Michael Phelps’s two butterfly world records in Brazil.
“The Rio Olympics are my main focus,” Le Clos told rio2016.com in an exclusive interview. “I will be in the best shape of my life for Rio and gold is on my mind. The butterfly races are on my mind and Michael Phelps’s butterfly world records (100m and 200m) have been on my mind since I won gold in London.”
The gold Le Clos was referring to came at the London 2012 Olympic Games, when he shot to fame at the age of 20 by beating Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time, in the 200m butterfly final. Phelps, who beat Le Clos in the 100m butterfly final in London, retired after those Games, with 22 Olympic medals, 18 of which are gold. He has since announced his intention to compete in Rio and during the last week has posted highly impressive times in the 100m and 200m butterfly at the US championships. However, Le Clos, who won the 100m butterfly gold medal at the world championships in Kazan, Russia, on Saturday (8 August), said his targets for Rio are clear.
“Obviously the 49.82 seconds (Phelps’s 100m butterfly world record) will be the toughest – Michael was the first one to go below 50 seconds,” said Le Clos. “But I am feeling good and will be in great shape. The main thing I need to work on is my front end, as the second half of my race is much stronger.”
Le Clos after winning the 100m butterfly final at the 2015 world championships (Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose)
Le Clos, who believes Phelps’ return is good for swimming, plans to enter the 100m and 200m butterfly and the 100m and 200m freestyle races in Rio. The South African admits the great American is his main rival, but stressed it was not a two-horse race. “Obviously Michael Phelps is the greatest of all time and he would not come back for fun,” said Le Clos. “He’ll be coming to win and he will be a huge threat to my goals. But there’s also Daiya Seto, Tom Shields and Ryan Lochte.”
Le Clos said the Rio 2016 Games will be “the most important eight days of my life” and outlined how much expectation there is on him at home. “The Olympics are huge in South Africa. Swimming is always popular because we usually do well in it, so everyone will be watching. I will have the hopes of the nation on my shoulders come 5 August (Olympic Games opening ceremony) next year – it’s a lot of pressure and it’s a little bit nerve-racking, but I am very excited and I have always wanted this, so I am grateful.
“I have worked really hard and I am sure it will pay off next year. We train in a four-year-cycle that is focused on peaking for the Olympic Games. I will do my best and hopefully that will be enough to be the best swimmer in the world in all my events. I will swim to win.”
Le Clos visited Rio for the Laureus Awards in 2013 and is confident the city will stage a great edition of the Games. “Rio will be a brilliant Olympic Games host city,” he said. “The people are great, very passionate, and there is a culture of sport, so they will get behind the athletes.”
