Dozens of Olympic champions from all over the world are visiting Rio de Janeiro for the Laureus Awards. Among them is Chad le Clos, a 20-year-old swimmer from South Africa who shot to fame at the London 2012 Games by beating his idol, Michael Phelps.

Rio2016.com met Le Clos at Copacabana beach, shortly after the athlete had finished his morning training. Keen to take a dip in the Atlantic ocean, Le Clos said he wanted get to know more about Brazilian culture and cuisine, on his first visit to the country.

“It's incredible to be here,” said Le Clos. “I believe the Rio 2016 Games will be great. You have the structure and the weather here is perfect, not cold like in other parts of the world.”

Along with the 200m butterfly gold he won in London, by getting his hand to the wall 0.05 seconds ahead of Phelps, Le Clos also won silver in the 100m butterfly, this time behind Phelps. And he quoted the US swimmer, his hero both in and out of the pool, in order to encourage young athletes all over the world.

“Never give up on your dreams and hopes. Always give your all. As Michael Phelps says, ‘nothing is impossible’,” said Le Clos.

Invited to take part in the Laureus Awards - known as the 'Oscars of Sport' - for the first time, Le Clos was thrilled to meet German tennis star Boris Becker and West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara. “It is wonderful to be among all these great athletes,” he said.