TOP GEAR
Photo: Gallo Images/AFP
Chad le
Champion
C
had Guy Bertrand le Clos is a young man striving every second of every day to realise
his dreams. He lives the philosophy that many struggle to transform from words
to deeds. He puts in the hard hours and has made many sacrifices in the pursuit of
excellence. This is the true inspiration that is Chad le Clos.
The 21-year-old Durbanite has already beaten the best on the ultimate global platform, the
London Olympic Games 2012, but he is unwavering in his focus and determination to be a
champion and leave a formidable legacy that will make waves for years and decades to come.
Chad’s charismatic, down-to earth charm coupled with his inspirational performance as an
athlete has won over the hearts of South Africans. His unfaltering commitment to achieving his
goals with such passion, inspires all who meet him and know his story. Volkswagen Magazine
catches up with South Africa’s Golden boy and Volkswagen’s newest Brand Ambassador.
If you had to choose one person as
your inspiration for the rest of your life,
who would it be? We choose Chad
le Clos, South African Olympic Gold
Medallist and all-round nice guy!
Photo: Gallo Images/ AFP
By Tanja Van Wie
OLYMPIC FLASHBACK
It was a moment that crystallised a nation and stunned the swimming world. Chad le Clos
snatched victory in the men’s 200m butterfly and in so doing beat American Olympic legend
Michael Phelps in his signature event by 0.05 seconds.
“On race day I remember looking down into the water from the starting blocks and just
clearing my mind. I knew what I had to do. I dived in and the first 50 metres flew, the second lap
flew and then I remember feeling tired in the third lap. The last 50 metres seemed to go in slow
motion. I did not feel tired and I felt no pain, I was just numb in the moment. The last 10 metres
was so close. I could see Michael next to me. I knew I could beat him but it was so close when
we touched for a split second I thought I had come second. But I had won!”
Phelps came up just short of the wall with his stroke and Chad burst past to out-touch him in
1:52.96 to shatter his previous best time, which he had set in the semi-finals. Phelps finished in
1:53.01 and Japan’s Takeshi Matsuda in 1:53.21.
Anxiously looking towards the scoreboard afterwards, Chad saw the amazing result and
joyously smashed the water with his fist and let out a yell of triumph. He pointed to the crowd
to acknowledge his mother and father and his South African supporters. At that moment South
Africans watching from all over the globe erupted in spontaneous celebration.
“When I got out of the pool, I turned to Michael and I told him he was my idol. But I only
wanted to tell him that after I had beaten him. He thanked me and told me I have a great future
ahead of me,” recalls Chad. “It was something that I had lived over in my mind a million times
and now it’s a reality.”
Standing on top of the Olympic podium with gold medal around his neck, Chad struggled to
sing the national anthem as tears filled his eyes. His South African supporters came to his rescue
singing with delight as they celebrated his superb victory.
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I don’t believe in
doing things halfheartedly, it’s got to
be all or nothing. I
wanted to win a gold
medal and so I set
out to do it.
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Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier / Getty Images/ Gallo Images
“My absolute best moment from the Olympics was standing on that podium. I could see the
South African Flag opposite me above the American and Japanese flags next to it. When the
national anthem started playing, that’s when it really hit me that I had won. To stand as the
champion for your country is the greatest feeling in the world.”
At the Games, Chad’s father, Bert le Clos, became an immediate media personality after an
emotional interview and his now famous ‘unbelievable’ comments on British television about
his son’s achievement of winning a gold medal. “With all the attention and other races I swam,
I only saw my family four days after I won and also found out about my dad’s interview on
TV. It was awesome to have my supporters see that side of my dad and to see how much he
and my entire family support me.”
LIFE AFTER THE OLYMPICS
Chad received a deluge of attention upon returning to South Africa. “We arrived back in South
Africa to an enormous reception in Jo’burg which was just amazing. Swimming is not yet as
big a sport in South Africa so it was a big change to suddenly be recognised by everyone on the
street. Today people of all ages, races and walks of life recognise me on the street which is a very
cool feeling. I’m very proud of having so much support in South Africa.”
For all the attention that has catapulted Chad to stardom as one the biggest sports personalities
in the country, he maintains a strict training schedule. He trains for hours daily, and his diet and
training is calculated by his coach, who is very strict according to Chad.
Always the water baby, when he isn’t swimming kilometres in a pool, Chad likes to hit
the waves off Durban’s beaches and surf as long as the daylight and the waves hold out. His
schedule doesn’t leave much time for letting loose, but he recently got the chance to make up
for it with a dazzling 21st birthday party held at the sophisticated Czar’s nightclub in Durban
in April 2013.
Organised by his sister, Bianca, his glitzy celebration with 200 friends and family was featured
on Top Billing in true celebrity fashion. A surprise guest on the night included Chad’s personal
hero Terence Parkin, who inspired Le Clos when he was starting out as a swimmer.
CHILDHOOD DREAMING
Chad’s tight-knit family has supported him right
from the beginning. “I have always enjoyed a
great support base from my Mom and Dad and
the entire family,” he says. “A testament to this
is when I participated in the Olympic trials
in Durban last year. Over 70 people came to
support me, all from my family!”
Chad’s passion for the water started early
and he began swimming at age eight. By the
time he was 10 he started competing, but it
wasn’t before high school that he got serious
about the sport. “I gave up soccer and all other
sports to focus on my swimming when I was
15. My dream was to win a gold medal at the
Olympics and I was determined to realise this
dream,” he reflects.
“I trained hard during school and missing
out on team-orientated sports like cricket,
soccer or rugby meant I missed out on some
of the fun and social aspects that most young
people enjoy. But it was my choice and it was
totally worth it. I think it’s only worth the
sacrifice if you go for it with all your heart and
mind and body. I don’t believe in doing things
half-heartedly, it’s got to be all or nothing. I
wanted to win a gold medal and so I set out
to do it.”
DRIVING A VOLKSWAGEN
Chad declares he has always been a fan of Volkswagen and growing up he had wanted a Polo
as his first car. At 19 his dream came sooner than he expected when Hoopers Volkswagen
got in touch and gave him a sponsored Volkswagen Polo. After he won the Olympics he
received a Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. “I really enjoy this car, I think it suits me,” he says.
“Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to drive with ‘the Stig’ from Top
Gear when the show came out to Durban in May this year, which was incredible. I also got
the opportunity to be driven around Kyalami in a Golf GTI doing ‘Hot Laps’ with a driving
instructor from Volkswagen Driving Academy, which was insane! I definitely have a greater
appreciation for cars now.”
THE STUFF OF CHAMPIONS
Chad believes a champion is made when
someone decides never to give up on their
best. “I think a champion is set apart by the
power of their mind and their heart. There is
a saying that ‘good people work hard and are
good at it; great people continue trying where
others have given up’. Being a champion is
not about winning, but truly doing the best
that you can do.”
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Chad’s advice to the dreamers: “My advice to anyone who wants to make their dreams come true is to
have a goal in mind and work hard towards it. You never quit, no matter what curve balls and difficulties
life throws at you. Don’t give in to excuses, you need to accept the hand that you have been dealt and
get on with it.”
A GOLDEN FUTURE
With two Olympic medals under his belt, Chad’s focus now is on the bigger picture. “I have a
dream to grow and transform swimming in South Africa to become a mainstream sport. I aim
to do that by working hard, winning more medals and hopefully using my influence to grow
the sport,” reveals Chad.
In the coming year he will focus all his energy on training for the Commonwealth Games in
2014. He also wants to start studying part time in the field of sport science next year.
You can be sure that whatever South Africa’s golden boy decides to achieve next, he will let
nothing stand in his way of getting there, in the water or out.
Photo: Oliver Hirtenfelder
I think a champion
is set apart by the
power of their mind
and their heart.
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