Rio de Janeiro - Chad le Clos is bracing himself for an arduous schedule at the Rio Olympics, with the 200m freestyle added to an already hectic workload. Yet, despite the added strain, the golden boy of London 2012 is excited about the prospects of the coming week.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for four years,” he beamed, after his morning heats. Le Clos explained that he was trying to pace himself over the course of this week, with some nights requiring him to double up, in some pretty big events.
The final of the 200m freestyle is tonight, which also sees the semis of the 200m butterfly.
The heats for the 200m butterfly are this morning, and there had been some talk in some quarters about Le Clos perhaps re-jigging his schedule and prioritising his feature races, with perhaps the 200m freestyle being relinquished. But Le Clos is adamant that he can make the whole thing work.
“I don’t see myself dropping out of anything, to be honest. I really want a medal in this race (200m freestyle), because it is a tough race,” he puffed.
“I just need to get a better third 50m, and then anything can happen,” he pointed out.
“If I can just be there with the leaders going into the final 50 metres, I like my chances. Who knows what can happen on the last lap,” he smiled.
Of course, the duel that everyone wants to see is Le Clos against the most decorated Olympian of all time, one Michael Phelps of America. Phelps, who Le Clos pipped to shoot into a new swimming stratosphere four years ago, is out for revenge, but Le Clos is bristling at the prospect of the duel.
In many ways, it is one of the biggest bills of the entire Games. Phelps, the greatest ever, against Le Clos who is trying to become the greatest African Olympian, with a potential for five medals in Rio, and also to prove that London was no fluke.
They hardly speak to each other, and neither one is playing down the hype that has been snowballing for months. They will eyeball each other from close quarters today, and what we can all be sure of is that Phelps will not be coasting to the line this time.
Le Clos will take no prisoners, either, with a gallery full of family baying him on. “I’m excited. I’ve been excited (about Phelps’ reunion) for a long, long time,” he said, jaw clenching at the mention of his greatest challenge.
It promises to be an absolute thriller, and should Le Clos defend his crown, he will seal his legacy as an “unbelievable” Olympic legend.
Independent Media