Le Clos vs Phelps: Stage set for epic rematch
Armoured by a 'bulletproof mind' Chad le Clos is ready to renew his rivalry with American icon Michael Phelps.
|||Rio de Janeiro - Armoured by a 'bulletproof mind' Chad le Clos is ready to renew his rivalry with American icon Michael Phelps on Monday.
The two swimming heavyweights have faced off since the 100m butterfly at the London 2012 Games where Phelps pipped the South African to the wall.
The stage is set for one of the epic battles of the Games as they meet each other of the rematch in the 200m butterfly.
“Four years ago I had less pressure, I’ve always had the hunger to win, I’ve always wanted to be the best,” Le Clos said ahead of his swim in today’s 200m freestyle heats.
“I feel I am more mature in the way that I handle stuff, small things would have affected me four years ago where small little comments would unravel me.”
Four years ago Le Clos caused the upset of the London Games out-touching the most decorated Olympian of all time by 0.05 seconds to usurp Phelps of his 200m butterfly throne.
There is no love lost between the two swimmers with Le Clos going into the Games as the defending champion with Phelps and world champion Laszlo Cseh of Hungary taking aim at the target on the South African’s back.
“My mind is pretty much bulletproof, nothing would throw me off now but nothing has ever intimidated me,” Le Clos said.
“That is probably the reason why I’ve wanted to beat Michael Phelps, I’m not afraid of him, I have a lot of respect for him, I would be silly if I didn't acknowledge his achievements.
“He is the greatest Olympian of all time and I don't think anybody will challenge that feat and we will see on Tuesday who the best butterfly swimmer is.”
Although he is the defending champion, Le Clos does not rate himself as the favourite based on the world rankings ahead of the Games.
Cseh rules the roost with his world leading time of 1:52.91 with Japanese duo Daiya Seto and Masato Sakai occupying second and third place respectively.
Le Clos’ time of 1:54.42 he set at the Mare Nostrum gala in Barcelona in June ranks him fourth while Phelps is sixth with his 1:54.84 from the United States’ trials.
“The 200m fly is probably more important than the 100m fly and the 200m free if I’m honest, I will take any medal that comes our way but I would rather win the 200m fly,” Le Clos said.
“I think it is something that has been blown out of proportion, Laszlo is in great shape, he swam a 52.9 in April or may which is pretty fast. It is faster than my time from London four-year ago.
“If you look at it from a bookies point of view I am probably number three in the 200m fly, I haven't swum a PB in four years.”
Le Clos was the preeminent butterfly swimmer since London and suffered a rare defeat at last year’s Fina World Championships in Kazan, Russia when Cseh beat him to the wall in the 200m event.
The 24-year-old said the defeat was perhaps to his benefit as it kicked his Rio preparations into the next gear.
“I am just excited to race, last year was probably a good wakeup call and I am happy it happened, I’ve trained harder than I’ve ever have,” he said.
“He is in my mind, don’t worry about that and I always swim my PBs when we are at good meets and I’ve always thrived on that good competition.
“I haven’t seen Phelps in four years and it will be the first time we will race since the 100m fly.”
Le Clos will start his campaign to become the most decorated African male Olympian in the 200m freestyle event.
Competing in three individual events, the 4x200m freestyle and the 4x100m medley relay, Le Clos will be looking to surpass Ethiopian distance runner Kenenisa Bekele with his three gold medals and one silver.
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