Durban - Chad le Clos is set to resume his hunt for gold medals within days of the Olympics closing ceremony when he competes in the first round of the Fina Swimming World Cup in Paris next Friday.
Le Clos overcame the personal tragedy of both his parents being diagnosed with cancer to claim silver medals in the 100m freestyle and 100 butterfly events in Rio last week.
The Rio medal haul and the silver and gold he claimed at the 2012 London Games mean Le Clos is the most decorated South African Olympian.
However, he was left disappointed by his inability to win gold and intends to dive straight back into competitive action with no break at all.
“No, no. When you get two silvers, you work double hard to make it gold. That’s my mentality,” he said.
“I have to be respectful and celebrate this success because two silver medals at the Olympics against Michael Phelps is nothing to be too ashamed of, but it’s not what I wanted. I have to come back stronger. I have to prove to myself, I have to prove to my supporters, I have to prove to my haters, why I am where I am.”
The Durban resident added that, in his mind at least, the next Olympic cycle began as soon as the 200m butterfly event finished.
He considers the 200 ‘fly his strongest event but he was unable to claim a medal in Rio. Instead he finished fourth, with Phelps winning gold.
“The 200 butterfly was one of the worst races of my career and it will always be the worst race of my career,” Le Clos admitted.
“There are reasons why it was the worst but I will never speak about them because it’s disrespectful to Michael Phelps and guys who beat me. Mentally I was 100 percent for that race. Emotionally I was good as well. Somewhere along the line it went wrong after the freestyle and we’ll just make sure that never ever happens again. We’ll assess all the things that didn’t work out. I am in great shape. I’ve worked harder than anyone has before to get to where I am and I’ll make sure that I don’t let this opportunity slip away from me.
“I promise that I will keep striving to be the best that I can be. Whether that’s another two silvers at the next Olympics or whether it’s two golds. The support means the world to me.”
The Star