CHAD le Clos may be a “ballie” in swimming terms at 32 years old, but South Africa’s legendary Olympian believes he still has the determination to win a medal at the Paris Olympics.
Le Clos will, of course, forever be remembered for dethroning Olympic “GOAT” Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly at the London Olympics in 2012 when the then 20-year-old claimed the gold medal to transform him into an immediate global superstar.
He went on to win a silver medal in the 100m butterfly in London, as well as silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 100m butterfly four years later in Rio de Janeiro.
Le Clos competed at the Tokyo Olympics – he prefers to refer to it as the ‘Covid Olympics’ – but was not at his best and finished fifth in the 200m butterfly final, while falling out in the semi-finals of the 100m butterfly.
Many swimmers would have thrown in their towels after such a disappointment, especially as Le Clos was approaching his 30th birthday by then.
But not this “patriot” of South Africa, who believes he still possesses that famed fighting spirit to go head-to-head with the best in the world.
“As a boy I never dreamed of going to the Olympic Games,” Le Clos told the Sascoc website ahead of his 100m butterfly heat today (11:03am).
“To be here representing the country again, wearing the green and gold, honestly, there’s no higher honour than that for me. In London I was such a green boy. Then came Rio and that was followed by the Covid Olympics. Now, it’s Paris.
“I’m now 32, a ballie, a pensioner in swimming terms. My body feels like it’s 40. I’ve bled for this sport, bled for my country. I’m a patriot. I’ve been written off so many times, but I can assure you, if my shoulder holds up, I’ll make that final and then watch out. I’m a dog. I don’t crumble under the lights or pressure. I’ll be in the mix. Quote me on that.
“I’m still good, I’m still good enough to win races, titles and medals. Whether it happens here we’ll see. If not it will happen going forward. I’m still leaving it all out here. I moved to Germany to prepare for these Olympics. With respect, I don’t like the place. It’s not for me, do you know what I mean? I’m a South African, I’m a patriot. I thrive when surrounded by South Africans,” he added.
It is ironic that Le Clos is actually struggling with an injury in Paris, but not due to Father Time but rather a freak occurrence.
“I suffered a shoulder tear four weeks ago when a kid jumped on me when I was swimming and my shoulder popped out,” he said.
“It will have recovered but the inflammation and damage done has affected me. Three weeks ago I was crying every day.
“I’ll be devastated if I can’t compete … it will be one of the worst moments in my career.”
Le Clos will be joined by 21-year-old compatriot Matthew Sates in the 100m butterfly heat.
Sates was in action yesterday in the Paris Le Defense Arena when he finished sixth in the 200m medley heats in a time of 2:04:01.
