Gom january '14 issue chad le clos

CHAD LE CLOS COULD IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

» Words by: Karien Jonckheere; Photos by: Herman Verwey

COULD IT GET ANY BETTER THAN CHAD LE CLOS In 2O12 he became Olympic champion, in 2O13 a double world champion.

That makes it just a little tricky to predict how Chad le Clos could possibly top that in 2O14.

But the 21-year-old is not one to rest on his laurels, and he’s constantly thinking up ways to push the boundaries just that little bit further. The target for this year: Commonwealth Games glory. And he’s going big. He already has two Commonwealth titles in the bag, having won gold in the 200 m butterfly and the 40 m individual medley in Delhi in 2010, along with silver in the 4 x 100 m medley relay and bronzes in the 4 x 100 m and 4 x 200 m freestyle relays.

So now his sights are set on becoming the most decorated athlete in any sport in Commonwealth Games history. That’s no small feat, considering that record is currently held by Australian shooter Phillip Adams who amassed a total of 18 medals over five Games.

“I really want to try and win four or five gold medals,” he points out in his characteristic laid-back fashion. “If I look at the overall standings, the most medals is 18 by one person. I’m looking to break records in my own way. I know Commonwealths isn’t as big as Olympics but if I can win a few more there it will set me up nicely.”

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Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014

COVER STORY FEATURE: SWIMMING

THIS?

Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014

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CHAD LE CLOS COULD IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

Le Clos is aiming to qualify to swim the 50 m, 100 m and 200 m butterfly as well as the 200 m and 400 m individual medley at the Games in Glasgow.

“And maybe a 200 m freestyle – that’s why I’ve been swimming it at the World Cups. I’ll try and swim five or six individual races with a few relays and scoop a few medals there,” he adds.

“At the end of the day, it’s about having fun but it’s also about breaking records and just doing things differently.

Winning the Olympics is great but, I think the reason people remember me as opposed to other swimmers is because of Michael Phelps, because he was the greatest of all time and I beat him. I think you need to do something like that – to shake the sport up in a way,” Le Clos muses.

“I think what I’m trying to do – what I need to do is set new boundaries for myself – like one day winning the 50 m, 100 m and 200 m butterfly at the World Championships. If you can do stuff like that, people start remembering you.”

Le Clos’s performances in the last two years have certainly been memorable.

He’s the first to admit that 2013 wasn’t an ideal year for him in terms of a shoulder injury hampering his training. But the Pinetown-based star still managed to break his first world record – the 200 m butterfly short course record in Singapore late last year.

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Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014

COVER STORY FEATURE: SWIMMING

“That was great. It hadn’t been the best year for me preparation-wise so what happened last year was really a bonus for me – I don’t want to take anything for granted, I know that I can do better. It was good and everything but there are still things that I wasn’t happy with.

It sounds crazy but after a competition is over, it’s done for me. I don’t harp on it – like World Cup is done, world record happened – it’s over. I’ve forgotten about it and it’s all about this year now.”

So, could the new year bring with it his first ever long course world record?

“I don’t think this year. I think in 2015 in Russia. I’ll go for that. I want to get the 200 m and the 100 m butterfly world records. And I still believe I will one day win a 400 m medley gold medal.”

Inevitably, as Le Clos rakes in the medals and records, so the pressure mounts, and much is expected of him each time he sets foot on the pool deck.

“Obviously before the Olympics there was no hectic pressure really. No one really knew me. If I came 10th it didn’t really matter. This year, I feel a lot more pressure than I used to. But at the same time it works in a way because then I am the favourite so I can use that to my advantage.”

It’s an advantage he’s seized with gusto and one which, based on the last two years, should have his Commonwealth Games rivals quaking in their goggles.

Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014

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CHAD LE CLOS COULD IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

SIDE BAR

CHAD DIGS… Favourite food:

My dad’s pasta Favourite drink:

Coke Favourite holiday destination:

Mauritius Favourite competition venue:

Dubai Song:

Burning Love by Elvis Hidden talent:

FIFA on PlayStation Most annoying habit:

I love playing with hair. I’m always twirling my hair and playing with other people’s hair – it’s really weird.

Favourite phone app:

Twitter or Fruit Ninja Favourite sport other than swimming:

Soccer Movie:

The Hangover movies TV Series:

Entourage, Two and Half Men, Blue Mountain State

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Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014

COVER STORY FEATURE: SWIMMING

SIDE BAR – LE CLOS JUNIOR

SWIMMING IN THE FAMILY: Give it a few years and there could just be another Le Clos on the podium. Chad’s younger brother, Jordan, is eager to follow in his sibling’s golden footsteps.

“How it started was I saw my brother swimming and I just wanted to try it out and I really enjoyed it,” explained 15-year-old Jordan who also trains with coach Graham Hill.

The Grade 10 Westville Boys High student reckons that being a Le Clos has its good and bad sides. “Chad is a major influence. Ever since I first saw him swimming - he’s always had that drive. And I wanted to be like him so I gave it a shot.

“He gives me some advice in the pool – small things like keeping your head down at the finish, when you tumble turn don’t look up, some underwaters and that kind of thing.”

But then there is always a bit of extra pressure that comes along with being an Olympic and double world champion’s brother.

Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014

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CHAD LE CLOS COULD IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

“It doesn’t bother me that much.

Sometimes it gets in the way a bit but all in all it’s all right.”

Jordan was in London in 2012 to witness his brother being crowned Olympic champion.

“We couldn’t get tickets all together so my parents sat on one side of the stands and I sat by myself and when my brother won I just cried and hugged random people next to me. It was crazy. The atmosphere was electric,” he recalls with a laugh.

By 2020 the roles could just be reversed. “I want to go to the Olympics. 2016 will be a bit of a squeeze because I’ll be only 18 so 2020 will be the one. That’ll be the best year I think for my swimming.

“My times are quite close to what Chad was swimming at my age. In the breaststrokes – his were quite a bit faster but Chad didn’t swim much butterfly when he was younger so my fly is a bit better than his at my age,” added Jordan, who will compete

at his first senior nationals this year.

“I think Jordan has a bright future ahead of him,” reckons big brother Chad. “He’s got everything going for him so the world’s his oyster but I think it’s for him to decide. He needs to want to do it, but he’s got a lot of potential.”

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Game On Magazine, January: Issue 03, 2014