Le Clos boosted by Man City visit
As he wrapped up his preparations for the swimming world championships, South African Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos got an unexpected boost in the form of encouragement from the visiting Manchester City soccer stars in Durban for their match against Amazulu.
Le Clos, who is 21, is a big fan of English Premiership football. He spent time with Manchester City's Swedish international John Guidetti, Frenchman Gael Clichy, Argentinian ace Sergio Aguero and English international Joleon Lescott on the eve of his departure for Barcelona for the FINA World Championships.
Le Clos is working back to top form after being hampered by an injury at the end of last year, during which time he was also locked into a whirlwind of engagements after his gold medal winning feats at the London Olympic Games.
"It's the first time in a long time that I have felt like myself in the water," said le Clos.
"After an injury it is easy to lose track, and I have had to work back to where I feel I am supposed to be. Going into Worlds I feel like I am back where I want to be," Le Clos added.
For Le Clos and the rest of the world’s top butterfly stars, the Barcelona event will be different, as it will be first time in a decade that the icon Michael Phelps will not be there as the dominant figure.
"It really will be weird because all of us have always been chasing Phelps!", said le Clos.
The pressure of being the Olympic title holder will also mount on Le Clos, but he feels that he will still use the same techniques to deal with that pressure.
"I know all about the pressure, so it won't be that different. It's all about getting to the final, and then everything falls by the wayside - the times guys have raced, their reputations. It is then just about racing that one race. I will be just as nervous as they will be for that final," said le Clos.
"I really want to win the 200 'fly and I hope to be up there for the 100 'fly as well," he said. "In the 50 'fly I will be pleased to make the final and see what happens from there."
The meeting with the Manchester City internationals came as a timely confidence booster for the young Durbanite, who was flattered to have French international star Gael Clichy ask for a photo with him.
"It is a fantastic feeling to experience that mutual respect from other top level sportsmen," said le Clos.
"They are all great guys, and to realise they have that respect and appreciation for what I do feels great. It is important. I will never forget getting to meet some of The Sharks after the Commonwealth Games in 2010. I was a real youngster a nobody yet they were so decent and respectful when I was expecting them to be arrogant. That meant a lot to me," he added.
Le Clos is a regular at Prime HPI and revels in the fact that it offers a complete sports medicine solution to him.
"If I am training at Kings Park it is so useful to come straight across the road and have access to the top biokineticists, physiotherapists and doctors. If I need it I use the ice bath after training, and I enjoy the facilities and the vibe there."
While Le Clos admits to being something of a Manchester United fan, he will be in the stands for Manchester City's date with local outfit Amazulu.
The Manchester City players have been using Prime Human Performance Institute at the Moses Mabhida Stadium as their conditioning base during the durban leg of their tour to South Africa.
"It will be special. Mandela Day will make it special in a lot of ways. It's a pre-season game for man City, so I am going with a 2 all draw," said le Clos.
Prime Human Performance Institute is situated in Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium.
(File photo:Gallo Images)
- ECR Sportswave