Chad le Clos, the South African swimming star who famously topped Michael Phelps in the 200 butterfly, will pen his story for Penguin Books SA, reports iolsports.
Le Clos’ rise to fame in swimming circles was meteoric, a rapid two-year ramp-up to the London Olympics. After his stunning 2010 Commonwealth Games performance, claiming a total of five medals, he was on every swim-geeks’ radar. By the 2011 FINA World Championships, Le Clos cut his teeth against the best, netting a respectable 5th in the 200 butterfly, his signature event. He was only 18 years old, a period when world-class swimmers make big drops in time. Le Clos was primed to star the following summer in London.
Chad le Clos
Le Clos’ come from behind victory in the 200 butterfly in London was witnessed by billions around the world. It was a rare sight. All eyes were focused on Michael Phelps, on his path to officially become the greatest Olympian of all-time. (Phelps finished the London Olympics with six Olympic medals, making his career-haul 22 in all, 18 of which are gold.) In an extraordinary performance, Le Clos reeled in Phelps during the final meters of the race, edging Phelps by 5 one-hundredths of a second. Le Clos was clearly overwhelmed by beating his hero. Phelps’ gracious acknowledgement of Le Clos’ great swim made the moment one of the best of the Olympic Games.
“Unbelievable” will be the title of the book, according to iolsports. It comes from Le Clos’s father, Bert, and his reaction to his son’s victory in an interview that went viral on the web.
“I’m aiming for it to be an inspiring read that will motivate the reader to know that nothing is impossible!” Le Clos said in a statement released by Penguin Books SA.
Le Clos will have some help penning his story, a co-author. Background and depth will be added, Le Clos’ life from childhood to the Olympic Games and the aftermath.
“Unbelievable” will available July, 2014.
I still can’t find words how unbelievable that was, and borderline impossible.
Of all events, I thought the 200 fly was the most sealed up.
Impressive!!! We love telling Le Clos’ story to athletes, and can’t wait to read more about him in the book. Also, one must respect Michael Phelps’ handling of getting 2nd to him (which really does seem unbelievable)… Michael genuinely seems happy for Le Clos.