We choose Chad le Clos, South Af - Volkswagen South Africa
TOP GEAR
Photo: Gallo Images/AFP
Chad le Champion
C
had Guy Bertrand le Clos is a young man striving every second of every day to realise his dreams. He lives the philosophy that many struggle to transform from words to deeds. He puts in the hard hours and has made many sacrifices in the pursuit of excellence. This is the true inspiration that is Chad le Clos. The 21-year-old Durbanite has already beaten the best on the ultimate global platform, the London Olympic Games 2012, but he is unwavering in his focus and determination to be a champion and leave a formidable legacy that will make waves for years and decades to come. Chad’s charismatic, down-to earth charm coupled with his inspirational performance as an athlete has won over the hearts of South Africans. His unfaltering commitment to achieving his goals with such passion, inspires all who meet him and know his story. Volkswagen Magazine catches up with South Africa’s Golden boy and Volkswagen’s newest Brand Ambassador.
If you had to choose one person as your inspiration for the rest of your life, who would it be? We choose Chad le Clos, South African Olympic Gold Medallist and all-round nice guy! Photo: Gallo Images/ AFP
By Tanja Van Wie
OLYMPIC FLASHBACK It was a moment that crystallised a nation and stunned the swimming world. Chad le Clos snatched victory in the men’s 200m butterfly and in so doing beat American Olympic legend Michael Phelps in his signature event by 0.05 seconds. “On race day I remember looking down into the water from the starting blocks and just clearing my mind. I knew what I had to do. I dived in and the first 50 metres flew, the second lap flew and then I remember feeling tired in the third lap. The last 50 metres seemed to go in slow motion. I did not feel tired and I felt no pain, I was just numb in the moment. The last 10 metres was so close. I could see Michael next to me. I knew I could beat him but it was so close when we touched for a split second I thought I had come second. But I had won!” Phelps came up just short of the wall with his stroke and Chad burst past to out-touch him in 1:52.96 to shatter his previous best time, which he had set in the semi-finals. Phelps finished in 1:53.01 and Japan’s Takeshi Matsuda in 1:53.21. Anxiously looking towards the scoreboard afterwards, Chad saw the amazing result and joyously smashed the water with his fist and let out a yell of triumph. He pointed to the crowd to acknowledge his mother and father and his South African supporters. At that moment South Africans watching from all over the globe erupted in spontaneous celebration. “When I got out of the pool, I turned to Michael and I told him he was my idol. But I only wanted to tell him that after I had beaten him. He thanked me and told me I have a great future ahead of me,” recalls Chad. “It was something that I had lived over in my mind a million times and now it’s a reality.” Standing on top of the Olympic podium with gold medal around his neck, Chad struggled to sing the national anthem as tears filled his eyes. His South African supporters came to his rescue singing with delight as they celebrated his superb victory. 28 Volkswagen
I don’t believe in doing things halfheartedly, it’s got to be all or nothing. I wanted to win a gold medal and so I set out to do it.
Volkswagen 29
Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier / Getty Images/ Gallo Images
“My absolute best moment from the Olympics was standing on that podium. I could see the South African Flag opposite me above the American and Japanese flags next to it. When the national anthem started playing, that’s when it really hit me that I had won. To stand as the champion for your country is the greatest feeling in the world.” At the Games, Chad’s father, Bert le Clos, became an immediate media personality after an emotional interview and his now famous ‘unbelievable’ comments on British television about his son’s achievement of winning a gold medal. “With all the attention and other races I swam, I only saw my family four days after I won and also found out about my dad’s interview on TV. It was awesome to have my supporters see that side of my dad and to see how much he and my entire family support me.” LIFE AFTER THE OLYMPICS Chad received a deluge of attention upon returning to South Africa. “We arrived back in South Africa to an enormous reception in Jo’burg which was just amazing. Swimming is not yet as big a sport in South Africa so it was a big change to suddenly be recognised by everyone on the street. Today people of all ages, races and walks of life recognise me on the street which is a very cool feeling. I’m very proud of having so much support in South Africa.” For all the attention that has catapulted Chad to stardom as one the biggest sports personalities in the country, he maintains a strict training schedule. He trains for hours daily, and his diet and training is calculated by his coach, who is very strict according to Chad. Always the water baby, when he isn’t swimming kilometres in a pool, Chad likes to hit the waves off Durban’s beaches and surf as long as the daylight and the waves hold out. His schedule doesn’t leave much time for letting loose, but he recently got the chance to make up for it with a dazzling 21st birthday party held at the sophisticated Czar’s nightclub in Durban in April 2013. Organised by his sister, Bianca, his glitzy celebration with 200 friends and family was featured on Top Billing in true celebrity fashion. A surprise guest on the night included Chad’s personal hero Terence Parkin, who inspired Le Clos when he was starting out as a swimmer.
CHILDHOOD DREAMING Chad’s tight-knit family has supported him right from the beginning. “I have always enjoyed a great support base from my Mom and Dad and the entire family,” he says. “A testament to this is when I participated in the Olympic trials in Durban last year. Over 70 people came to support me, all from my family!” Chad’s passion for the water started early and he began swimming at age eight. By the time he was 10 he started competing, but it wasn’t before high school that he got serious about the sport. “I gave up soccer and all other sports to focus on my swimming when I was 15. My dream was to win a gold medal at the Olympics and I was determined to realise this dream,” he reflects. “I trained hard during school and missing out on team-orientated sports like cricket, soccer or rugby meant I missed out on some of the fun and social aspects that most young people enjoy. But it was my choice and it was totally worth it. I think it’s only worth the sacrifice if you go for it with all your heart and mind and body. I don’t believe in doing things half-heartedly, it’s got to be all or nothing. I wanted to win a gold medal and so I set out to do it.”
DRIVING A VOLKSWAGEN Chad declares he has always been a fan of Volkswagen and growing up he had wanted a Polo as his first car. At 19 his dream came sooner than he expected when Hoopers Volkswagen got in touch and gave him a sponsored Volkswagen Polo. After he won the Olympics he received a Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. “I really enjoy this car, I think it suits me,” he says. “Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to drive with ‘the Stig’ from Top Gear when the show came out to Durban in May this year, which was incredible. I also got the opportunity to be driven around Kyalami in a Golf GTI doing ‘Hot Laps’ with a driving instructor from Volkswagen Driving Academy, which was insane! I definitely have a greater appreciation for cars now.”
THE STUFF OF CHAMPIONS Chad believes a champion is made when someone decides never to give up on their best. “I think a champion is set apart by the power of their mind and their heart. There is a saying that ‘good people work hard and are good at it; great people continue trying where others have given up’. Being a champion is not about winning, but truly doing the best that you can do.”
30 Volkswagen
Chad’s advice to the dreamers: “My advice to anyone who wants to make their dreams come true is to have a goal in mind and work hard towards it. You never quit, no matter what curve balls and difficulties life throws at you. Don’t give in to excuses, you need to accept the hand that you have been dealt and get on with it.” A GOLDEN FUTURE With two Olympic medals under his belt, Chad’s focus now is on the bigger picture. “I have a dream to grow and transform swimming in South Africa to become a mainstream sport. I aim to do that by working hard, winning more medals and hopefully using my influence to grow the sport,” reveals Chad. In the coming year he will focus all his energy on training for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. He also wants to start studying part time in the field of sport science next year. You can be sure that whatever South Africa’s golden boy decides to achieve next, he will let nothing stand in his way of getting there, in the water or out.
Photo: Oliver Hirtenfelder
I think a champion is set apart by the power of their mind and their heart.
Volkswagen 31
Photo: Gallo Images/AFP
Chad le Champion
C
had Guy Bertrand le Clos is a young man striving every second of every day to realise his dreams. He lives the philosophy that many struggle to transform from words to deeds. He puts in the hard hours and has made many sacrifices in the pursuit of excellence. This is the true inspiration that is Chad le Clos. The 21-year-old Durbanite has already beaten the best on the ultimate global platform, the London Olympic Games 2012, but he is unwavering in his focus and determination to be a champion and leave a formidable legacy that will make waves for years and decades to come. Chad’s charismatic, down-to earth charm coupled with his inspirational performance as an athlete has won over the hearts of South Africans. His unfaltering commitment to achieving his goals with such passion, inspires all who meet him and know his story. Volkswagen Magazine catches up with South Africa’s Golden boy and Volkswagen’s newest Brand Ambassador.
If you had to choose one person as your inspiration for the rest of your life, who would it be? We choose Chad le Clos, South African Olympic Gold Medallist and all-round nice guy! Photo: Gallo Images/ AFP
By Tanja Van Wie
OLYMPIC FLASHBACK It was a moment that crystallised a nation and stunned the swimming world. Chad le Clos snatched victory in the men’s 200m butterfly and in so doing beat American Olympic legend Michael Phelps in his signature event by 0.05 seconds. “On race day I remember looking down into the water from the starting blocks and just clearing my mind. I knew what I had to do. I dived in and the first 50 metres flew, the second lap flew and then I remember feeling tired in the third lap. The last 50 metres seemed to go in slow motion. I did not feel tired and I felt no pain, I was just numb in the moment. The last 10 metres was so close. I could see Michael next to me. I knew I could beat him but it was so close when we touched for a split second I thought I had come second. But I had won!” Phelps came up just short of the wall with his stroke and Chad burst past to out-touch him in 1:52.96 to shatter his previous best time, which he had set in the semi-finals. Phelps finished in 1:53.01 and Japan’s Takeshi Matsuda in 1:53.21. Anxiously looking towards the scoreboard afterwards, Chad saw the amazing result and joyously smashed the water with his fist and let out a yell of triumph. He pointed to the crowd to acknowledge his mother and father and his South African supporters. At that moment South Africans watching from all over the globe erupted in spontaneous celebration. “When I got out of the pool, I turned to Michael and I told him he was my idol. But I only wanted to tell him that after I had beaten him. He thanked me and told me I have a great future ahead of me,” recalls Chad. “It was something that I had lived over in my mind a million times and now it’s a reality.” Standing on top of the Olympic podium with gold medal around his neck, Chad struggled to sing the national anthem as tears filled his eyes. His South African supporters came to his rescue singing with delight as they celebrated his superb victory. 28 Volkswagen
I don’t believe in doing things halfheartedly, it’s got to be all or nothing. I wanted to win a gold medal and so I set out to do it.
Volkswagen 29
Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier / Getty Images/ Gallo Images
“My absolute best moment from the Olympics was standing on that podium. I could see the South African Flag opposite me above the American and Japanese flags next to it. When the national anthem started playing, that’s when it really hit me that I had won. To stand as the champion for your country is the greatest feeling in the world.” At the Games, Chad’s father, Bert le Clos, became an immediate media personality after an emotional interview and his now famous ‘unbelievable’ comments on British television about his son’s achievement of winning a gold medal. “With all the attention and other races I swam, I only saw my family four days after I won and also found out about my dad’s interview on TV. It was awesome to have my supporters see that side of my dad and to see how much he and my entire family support me.” LIFE AFTER THE OLYMPICS Chad received a deluge of attention upon returning to South Africa. “We arrived back in South Africa to an enormous reception in Jo’burg which was just amazing. Swimming is not yet as big a sport in South Africa so it was a big change to suddenly be recognised by everyone on the street. Today people of all ages, races and walks of life recognise me on the street which is a very cool feeling. I’m very proud of having so much support in South Africa.” For all the attention that has catapulted Chad to stardom as one the biggest sports personalities in the country, he maintains a strict training schedule. He trains for hours daily, and his diet and training is calculated by his coach, who is very strict according to Chad. Always the water baby, when he isn’t swimming kilometres in a pool, Chad likes to hit the waves off Durban’s beaches and surf as long as the daylight and the waves hold out. His schedule doesn’t leave much time for letting loose, but he recently got the chance to make up for it with a dazzling 21st birthday party held at the sophisticated Czar’s nightclub in Durban in April 2013. Organised by his sister, Bianca, his glitzy celebration with 200 friends and family was featured on Top Billing in true celebrity fashion. A surprise guest on the night included Chad’s personal hero Terence Parkin, who inspired Le Clos when he was starting out as a swimmer.
CHILDHOOD DREAMING Chad’s tight-knit family has supported him right from the beginning. “I have always enjoyed a great support base from my Mom and Dad and the entire family,” he says. “A testament to this is when I participated in the Olympic trials in Durban last year. Over 70 people came to support me, all from my family!” Chad’s passion for the water started early and he began swimming at age eight. By the time he was 10 he started competing, but it wasn’t before high school that he got serious about the sport. “I gave up soccer and all other sports to focus on my swimming when I was 15. My dream was to win a gold medal at the Olympics and I was determined to realise this dream,” he reflects. “I trained hard during school and missing out on team-orientated sports like cricket, soccer or rugby meant I missed out on some of the fun and social aspects that most young people enjoy. But it was my choice and it was totally worth it. I think it’s only worth the sacrifice if you go for it with all your heart and mind and body. I don’t believe in doing things half-heartedly, it’s got to be all or nothing. I wanted to win a gold medal and so I set out to do it.”
DRIVING A VOLKSWAGEN Chad declares he has always been a fan of Volkswagen and growing up he had wanted a Polo as his first car. At 19 his dream came sooner than he expected when Hoopers Volkswagen got in touch and gave him a sponsored Volkswagen Polo. After he won the Olympics he received a Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet. “I really enjoy this car, I think it suits me,” he says. “Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to drive with ‘the Stig’ from Top Gear when the show came out to Durban in May this year, which was incredible. I also got the opportunity to be driven around Kyalami in a Golf GTI doing ‘Hot Laps’ with a driving instructor from Volkswagen Driving Academy, which was insane! I definitely have a greater appreciation for cars now.”
THE STUFF OF CHAMPIONS Chad believes a champion is made when someone decides never to give up on their best. “I think a champion is set apart by the power of their mind and their heart. There is a saying that ‘good people work hard and are good at it; great people continue trying where others have given up’. Being a champion is not about winning, but truly doing the best that you can do.”
30 Volkswagen
Chad’s advice to the dreamers: “My advice to anyone who wants to make their dreams come true is to have a goal in mind and work hard towards it. You never quit, no matter what curve balls and difficulties life throws at you. Don’t give in to excuses, you need to accept the hand that you have been dealt and get on with it.” A GOLDEN FUTURE With two Olympic medals under his belt, Chad’s focus now is on the bigger picture. “I have a dream to grow and transform swimming in South Africa to become a mainstream sport. I aim to do that by working hard, winning more medals and hopefully using my influence to grow the sport,” reveals Chad. In the coming year he will focus all his energy on training for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. He also wants to start studying part time in the field of sport science next year. You can be sure that whatever South Africa’s golden boy decides to achieve next, he will let nothing stand in his way of getting there, in the water or out.
Photo: Oliver Hirtenfelder
I think a champion is set apart by the power of their mind and their heart.
Volkswagen 31
