Michael Phelps’ Long-Time Arch-Nemesis Withdraws Name From World Championships Over ‘Undisclosed’ Illness

After the Olympics, the world championship is the most important and valued competition in the swimming world. All the best players who wish to compete in the Olympics consider this championship as the stepping stone. The competition’s value increases when the world’s best participates in it. But, this year’s championships are going to be held with some big names being absent from it.

Among them is Michael Phelps‘s long-time rival and arch nemesis Chad Le Clos. The world champion has decided to withdraw from the competition and focus on next year’s Paris Olympics.

Michael Phelps’ Long-Time Rival Withdraws Due to Undisclosed Illness

Chad Le Clos, the four-time Olympic medalist, was one of the favorites for this year’s world championships. He was all focused on it, but his recent performances due to his illness disappointed him. As per the report of Swimming World Magazine, during preparation for the games, the South African was only 52-low in 100M butterfly and just managed to break 1:58 in 200M fly.

According to the director of his club Michael Ulmer, the Olympian’s absence from the pool for a period of five weeks has resulted in such a performance. “He’s not that fit after his five-week training break due to illness,” Ulmer said. The Olympian could not recover fully from the gap. He was sidelined for five weeks after suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Le Clos is been active in world stage swimming for quite some time during which he won many Olympic, World Championship, and other medals.  Now, after skipping the world championship, Chad’s whole focus is on Paris 2024 Olympics. “His focus is clearly on the Olympic Games,” conceded Ulmer.

Michael Phelps and Chad Le Clos Arch Rivalry with Respect

Michael Phelps and Chad Le Clos’s rivalry continued for a long time. They are considered the most decorated swimmers in swimming history. But their rivalry was an exciting one. It started in London Olympics 2012 when both competed in the 200M butterfly category, in which Clos won the gold medal. They again met in the 2016 Rio Olympics and came face to face in two categories: 100M and 200M butterfly.

Read More: “Worse Than My Parents Having Cancer”- Olympian Chad Le Clos Who Defeated Michael Phelps Opens Up on His Battle With Depression

Phelps won the 100M race and Clos won the 200M race. However, they enjoyed the competition and have respect for each other’s achievements.

Though it is a sad news, we all hope that we get to see Chad le Clos in the Olympics showing his epic performance and shattering records.

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