“Wake Up in the Middle of the Night”: Michael Phelps’ Rival Opened Up on Having Nightmares Due to Swimming Legend in 2017

After the Rio Olympics 2016, in 2017, an interview with Chad le Clos was taken. He was asked about the most anticipated match in 2016 between him and Michael Phelps. The infamous battle between Chad and Phelps gave him nightmares for a while. The re-match between them in the Rio Olympics 200m butterfly was very fascinating to watch. Swimming enthusiasts got to witness the battle back in 2012 again. But this time it was Phelps who was unstoppable.

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever. He has 28 medals from the Olympic Games, out of which 23 medals are gold. Born in 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, Phelps’s childhood was very harsh on him since his parents got a divorce in 1994. Growing up without a father figure was hard for him, but he managed to overcome difficulties, and we all know that.

Michael Phelps gave him nightmares

Chad le Clos is a South African professional swimmer. He is also considered the most decorated South African Olympian with four medals. He had an iconic battle with Michael Phelps at the London Olympics back in 2012, where he won the gold medal.

Little did he know that Phelps would be back with his revenge. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, the tables turned and Michael Phelps was back with his glory, not only defeating Chad but also getting another gold. “I wake up in the middle of the night in a sweat over that race,” Chad le Clos said. The race made him traumatized and gave him nightmares.

Chad le Clos finished 5th in the 200m butterfly. At the 2012 London Olympics, revenge was taken by Michael Phelps, who left le Clos full of questions.

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Phelps retired after his loss in the 2012 Olympics. He didn’t feel competitive enough back then. Although he came out of retirement and was back fully motivated for the 2016 Rio Olympics, the rest is history.

A fair revenge match

When Chad le Clos defeated Michael Phelps, he was at the top of the world because he had defeated the most decorated Olympian ever. But that left Phelps disturbed and unmotivated, which was also one of the reasons for his retirement back in 2012.

Phelps returned in the 2016 Rio Olympics to exact revenge on le Clos. Phelps retired after the Rio Olympics, but Chad le Clos was up for another revenge match.

“I want it that bad,” le Clos said and continued with, “I just want Phelps to come back.”

Despite the rivalry, they don’t have any personal issues with each other. Phelps took revenge on le Clos, and he also wants it back. That is what they share in common. They both want to beat each other in swimming.

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What do you think about this rivalry? Do you also want to watch a rematch between Michael Phelps and Chad le Clos?