Durban-born Chad le Clos, one of South Africa’s most decorated swimmers, has opened the world-class Chad Le Clos Academy (CLeC) at the Quadrant Complex in Claremont.
The academy’s focus will be on training young children to swim and, ultimately, pursue the path to Olympic glory. Le Clos himself began swimming competitively at the age of ten, and had already made the senior Olympic swimming squad by the time he was 14. By the age of 18 he already held two senior South African records, as well as Commonwealth junior and senior records. The superstar swimmer has, thus far, bagged a total of 17 gold medals throughout his career.
"I really want to see the growth of swimming as a sport‚ both in SA and ultimately across the world‚ by helping existing swimmers improve and encouraging beginners to learn our sport and develop life skills. We are by far the best swimming nation in the world pro rata‚ with two world titles out of a possible 19‚" said Le Clos in an interview ahead of the launch.
"South Africa does not even have 3‚000 registered swimmers and we have two [world] titles. America has 300‚000 swimmers and nine titles. The academy has been a passion project of mine for about five years and I’m launching it for the next generation of aspiring young athletes. I want people with a positive attitude to have the opportunity to be the best they can be and have fun. Athletes should not be retiring at 17 or 18 years old because they worked too hard when they were young. I am in a position to give back and have a positive influence over kids‚ which is very powerful. Thanks to all South Africans for their support and the positive message for the future of South African swimming.”
Academy director and board member Julian Taylor said: "As South Africa’s most decorated swimmer‚ Chad le Clos has already ensured he will always be remembered as an icon. Hopefully this academy will be able to play another key role in expanding his legacy at all levels of the sport‚ both at home and abroad."
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Picture: SuperSport