South Africa's Chad Le Clos reacts after winning a semi-final of the men's 200m butterfly swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games FILE - South Africa's Chad Le Clos reacts after winning a semi-final of the men's 200m butterfly swimming event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP
Chad le Clos, South Africa’s most decorated Olympian has arrived at the athletes’ village at the Paris 2024 Games ready to make the most of his fourth experience at the greatest show on earth.
He joins only five other athletes to have done that in the country’s history.
⛵TeamSA setting sail! 🌊#TeamSA#ForMyCountry#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/c8gm8XABBe
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 26, 2024
His four medals, one gold and three silver, are also the most of any South African Olympian, while he has a list of short-course achievements that could fill a library, making him one of the greatest swimmers the country has produced.
Now 32, he is taking to the water in the 100m butterfly and admits that he has a lot to do. “I’m the third oldest male swimmer at these Games, so in those terms I’m something of a pensioner. And in spite of picking up a shoulder tear in training, I’ve come to Paris believing I have a chance. I’ve raced with injuries before.”
Le Clos is a leader and a racer and although the odds seem to be against him adding to his medals tally in Paris, one also needs to acknowledge that if he gets to the final it’s game on.
“I think that the semi-final will be the harder race, because there will be 16 swimmers going for a place in the final. I’m hoping to get there and once I do I’ll be chasing another dream. I’m a warrior, a born racer.”
Le Clos appeared to play down the severity of his injury at a media conference. “Yes, I’ve had an injury the last two weeks. I went to the medical team as soon as I arrived from Montpellier and had it checked out. The first thing I did after that was head for the dining hall!
“I’m here to enjoy the experience, even if I don’t think it’s my last, and give of my best.”
Sascoc