Le Clos sets his sights on Tokyo

Swimming sensation promises to bring gold

THE FUTURE is gold; that’s South African swimming sensation Chad le Clos’s promise as he looks to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Le Clos missed out on top honours in Rio de Janeiro this year despite bagging two silver medals at the September Olympics.

Now he’s looking to step up his training and his dedication to make sure he takes a top podium spot in four years.

“I know a lot of people in South Africa were celebrating my success and I thank them for that, but for me it was disappointing not to win,” the Durban- based swimmer said.

“I make no excuses about it. Like I have said before, there were reasons, but I will never use it as an excuse for what happened in Rio.”

Le Clos, who was in Johannesburg yesterday, said: “My disappointment in Rio has motivated me, I feel like I have a lot more to prove and to achieve.

“I need to win in Tokyo, I will win in Tokyo.”

Of his errors this year, Le Clos was frank that not all were necessarily made in the pool.

“There was stuff outside of the pool which should have been taken care of. It is what it is, though.”

He didn’t elaborate, but Le Clos was caught up in controversy over shadow boxing directly behind his key rival Michael Phelps during the Games. Phelps “death stare” at Le Clos also had sports spectators aghast at the time.

There was also criticism and dissatisfaction over some of the conditions of the pools in Rio and even of the SA squad’s scruffy tracksuits as uniforms in the opening ceremony.

“I want to win the world title next year and bring back that fear factor. Michael Phelps and I had such a great rivalry, because I was the guy who was not afraid to race against him. Other guys would shell up and be scared to race him; I would welcome him.”

It’s been a tough year for Le Clos; just before jetting off to the Rio Games, Le Clos found out his father Bert had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and his mother’s breast cancer had returned after she went into remission six years ago.

“Obviously 2016 was difficult for my family. So them getting better is far more important than winning gold medals. Thankfully my parents are getting better. My mom finished off her last chemotherapy session three weeks ago.”

Le Clos, who was in Joburg for appearances for Omega watches, one of his sponsors, is now focused on getting back into the pool.

He said: “I have an opportunity to now respond at the world champs next year. I have South Africa behind me which is the most important thing and I have lots of supporters around the world.

“I went to the world cup recently and I was privileged to have the loudest cheer every time I walked out. That’s something that’s important to me.”

Le Clos admitted he was disappointed Phelps had called it quits as a pro swimmer.

sameer.naik@inl.co.za

PICTURE:MARYLYN BERNARD Le Clos gets a hug from his younger brother Jordan while his mom and dad look on as he arrives back in Durban after competing at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Chad le Clos with his family: mom Geraldine, dad Bert and brother Jordan.

PICTURE: YOU TUBE US swimmer Michael Phelps with Le Clos before the men’s 200m butterfly semifinals at the Rio Olympics. Le Clos is now focused on getting back to the pool.