12 Years After Beating Michael Phelps, Arch Rival Announces Yet Another Paris Olympics Chase

With a storied career of 28 Olympic medals, 23 of which are gold, Michael Phelps is the Superman of the pool for a reason. In his storied career, Phelps broke 29 individual world records, all achieved between 2001 and 2009. However, as of August 2023, Michael Phelps no longer holds an individual world record.

Nonetheless, he retains his grip on Olympic, American, and National Age Group records. And there is still one title he holds that has been his since he won it at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Yet, as the Paris Olympics 2024 approaches, a staunch contender from South Africa is aiming to break this title.

South African swimming legend aims to knock Michael Phelps’ long-standing title

According to Olympics.com, Chad le Clos, an Olympic, World, and Commonwealth Games champion from South Africa, aims to break an Olympic record set by Michael Phelps in Paris in 2024. Chad le Clos dreams of becoming the oldest swimmer to win a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly stroke at the Paris Olympics in 2024. And there is a good reason for him to harbor this dream. Who can forget the 2012 Olympics when Chad Outperformed Phelps to clinch the gold in men’s 200m butterfly? But Chad didn’t win any medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and shared how he has unfinished business at the Olympics.

He revealed, “Of course, for Paris, we are aiming for medals. There is no secret about that. Gold would be an absolute dream.” Winning gold at the Paris Olympics would be particularly meaningful for Chad because it would make him the oldest swimmer to win a gold medal in any butterfly event at the Olympics. Currently, this record is held by Michael Phelps, who won the 200-meter butterfly gold medal at the age of 31 years and 40 days in 2016. So how does he aim to make this dream a reality?

Chad le Clos’s 2024 plan

Chad le Clos is targeting the Paris 2024 Olympics and aims to secure his legacy as one of South Africa’s greatest athletes by adding to his medal count. To prepare for Paris 2024, Le Clos is participating in the World Aquatics Championships in Doha. This serves as a rehearsal for the Olympics, allowing him to gain momentum and confidence leading up to the main event. Le Clos has made changes in his training regimen, including joining up with a new coach, Dirk Lange.

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This change has rejuvenated his performance, as seen in his successes at the 2022 World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, where he won the 100-200-meter butterfly golden double. Beyond Paris 2024, Le Clos has his sights set on the LA 2028 Olympics and has also shared how he wants to be remembered as one of the greatest athletes from South Africa. Le Clos said, “I’ve done it now at the Olympics, and another medal or two would secure that.” Will he be able to accomplish this feat and surpass Phelps for this title? Share your thoughts below!

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