Le Clos says new Italian coach is ‘second-to-none’

SOUTH African swimming champion Chad le Clos has named Italian Andrea di Nino as his new coach.

Le Clos‚ who fired long-time mentor Graham Hill after the Olympics last year‚ said Australian swimmer Bob Hurley would work day-to-day with him and his Chad Le Clos Academy swimmers at the Jan van Riebeeck High School in Cape Town‚ where he is now based.

“I’m excited to be working with Andrea‚” former Durbanite Le Clos said in a statement on his website yesterday.

“His coaching record is secondand I look forward to our journey together.

“I need to continue to improve to achieve my goals in swimming and Andrea is the perfect person to coach me in this next stage of my career.”

Di Nino has enjoyed Olympic success with Serbian Milorad Cavic and Russian Evgeny Kor both 100m butterfly silver medallists four years apart.

“I am delighted to be coaching Chad and think that together we can achieve great things‚” said Di Nino.

“He has already had a lot of success but I see his talent‚ drive and ambition to do more‚ and I cannot wait to get started.”

Le Clos‚ who is South Africa’s most decorated Olympian with four medals from two Games‚ also spoke highly about Hurley‚ a former world short-course champion in the 50m backstroke and in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

“Bobby is a phenomenal athlete in his own right and I’m so pleased that he has chosen to join my team alongside Andrea.”

Said Hurley: “I can’t wait to start working with Chad and the other talented swimmers who will be based in Cape Town.

“As I take a break from training to recover from injuries‚ I look forward to learning more about the sport from a great mind like Andrea and sharing my knowledge and experience with Chad‚ and the next generation of swimmers in South Africa.” — TMG Digital/ Sunday Times Sport