Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 57, April 2014 | Page 20

Running & Sport

Thanks to his winning ways in the pool, Olympic, World and
Commonwealth champ Chad Le Clos has become one of
South Africa’s brightest sporting heroes. This month, he’s
going all out for a record eight titles at nationals, with the
Commonwealth Games and Rio 2016 in his long-term sights.

Chad in action at the 2013
World Champs in Barcelona.

– BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER

W

ho can forget one of the iconic
South African moments from the London
2012 Olympics: In the 200m butterfly final, a
20-year-old from Durban, Chad Le Clos, won
the gold medal and beat the most decorated
Olympian of all time, American Michael Phelps,
and then Chad’s ecstatic father, Bert, won
the hearts of the nation as well, thanks to
gushing on emotionally about his “beautiful
boy.” Coming back from London, Chad says
the hype was overwhelming. “I felt like Justin
Bieber, and it still hasn’t died down! There’s
been great support. Swimming is a lonely
sport, it’s just you out there, so it’s important
to be appreciated.”
London really put him on the proverbial map,
but Chad’s success in the pool actually began
a few years earlier. In 2010 he brought home
a gold, three silvers and a bronze medal from

the Youth Olympics, as well as two golds,
a silver and two bronze medals from the
Commonwealth Games. The following year
he won five golds and a silver at the All
Africa Games. Then came 2012, bringing
a gold and a silver from London to go
with two World Champs golds and a silver.
Next up was the 2013 World Champs in
Barcelona, where Chad shortened his
programme to focus on the butterfly
events, his signature stroke. It paid off as
he won gold in both the 100m (with a new
SA record) and 200m. Chad has also twice
won the Overall Swimming World Cup, in
2011 and 2013.

WINNING MENTALITY

Chad’s drive to succeed in the pool actually
stems from watching Michael Phelps bag six
golds at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Back

then, aged eight, his only sessions in the
pool came in Physical Education classes at
school. However, his swimming ability soon
shone through, and today he is one of the
world’s foremost swimmers, but he remains
humble about his achievements. “People
expect me to win, but you can’t always be
Superman. I just focus on what I have to
do. I also watch my opponents on Youtube,
because I want to keep learning, and see
how I’ll match up. As a pro, you have to
think outside the box.”
Having travelled the world, Chad says
he is hard-pressed to choose a favourite
race or meet. “I’m biased
when it comes to places
I’ve visited – the results
stand out more than the
venue. That’s because
I don’t get to see any
of the countries, I’m
just in the pool doing
my thing.” There’s
little ‘downtime’ for
the champ, with
just 15 days off
a year for short
recovery. Along
with interviews
and obligations
to sponsors, he
puts in 10 training
A proud
ambassador
sessions a week,
for GNC
doing about 80
South Africa.
kays in the pool,
or as Chad puts
it, “Swimming
the Comrades
Marathon!”
He also fits in three
gym sessions a week
to work on his core

20

ISSUE 57 APRIL 2014 / www.modernathlete.co.za

Images: Luigi Bennett, LaPresse/AP (Associated
Press) & LaPresse/Gian Mattia D’Alberto

Still
Making
Waves

and improve his stamina, but 80% of his
training is in the water. Most Sundays
are spent surfing with his brother. Apart
from training, Chad remains loyal to his
diet, having started using GNC Nutrition
products three months ago, avoiding heavy
supplements, and using whey protein
for recovery as well as FutureLife after
morning sessions.

MORE ON THE CARDS

This month, Chad is chasing eight wins
at the SA Champs. “The most won is
seven and it will be difficult, because the
competition is tough, but it’s my stepping
stone to the Commonwealth Games later
this year, and obviously Rio 2016. My goal
for London was any medal; my dream was
gold. It might have been unrealistic, but if
you’re not up to dreaming big, you won’t
make it. There were occasions growing
up that people told me I’m not good
enough, but my parents were
always in the crowd and guided
me. I wouldn’t be here today
without my sponsors, coach
and family. I swim for myself,
but I also do it for them.”
Kissing
his gold at
the World
Champs in
Barcelona
last year.

Follow chad on twitter: @chadleclos
For more info on GNC go to
www.gnc.co.za