While the CenturyLink Center pool in Omaha is being lit up during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, the rest of the world is taking notice, especially when 22-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps takes to the water.
Among those eyes on the action is 2012 Olympic gold medalist Chad Le Clos of South Africa, the man who dethroned the American 200m butterfly king in London. The two have had a history of competitive banter, capped off with Le Clos’ quote of “Phelps can keep quiet now” after winning the 100m butterfly event at last year’s World Championships. The South African followed that up with the bold statement, “I am not afraid of Michael Phelps.”
In Omaha, Phelps clinched his 5th Olympic Games appearance by way of winning the 200 fly in a time of 1:54.84. Of the achievement, Le Clos told supersport.com “It’s incredible to make five Olympic Games so I’m sure Michael’s very stoked about that. He’s obviously going to do a lot better at the Olympics and I think that he was just getting in and making the team. That was the most important thing.”
Continued Le Clos, “It’s going to be really cool to race him and Laszlo and all the really big names.”
Laszlo refers to Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, the reigning World Champion who also won the 200m butterfly event at this summer’s European Championships in a blistering new continental record of 1:52.91.
“Laszlo has had a phenomenal 18 months. He’s been swimming best times at the age that he is (30). It’s really impressive. And of course Michael – he’s the greatest. So we’ll see August the 9th who is the best.”
As for Le Clos, his career-fastest remains the 1:52.96 he threw down in London, which was surpassed by Phelps’ U.S. Nationals time of 1:52.94. Will either of those times be enough to wrangle the gold in Rio? “That’s a hard question to answer,” says 24-year-old Le Clos.
“I’ve never really raced for time so I won’t be going into the race with a time in mind. But I’d imagine 1:52-low or 1:51-high, maybe close to the world record. It all depends on how fast they swim.”
From a mental perspective, Le Clos doesn’t feel any extra trepidation at the thought of the stacked field. “There’s no pressure at all”, he says. “The faster they swim, the better it is for me because that means I’ll swim a good race. I’ve never felt pressure from anybody. I’ve never been afraid to race anybody. I’ve always thrived on that competition.”
Comparing his mentality and maturity between 2012 and today, Le Clos reflects, “Four years ago I was very young and just very excited to go to the Olympics. I had no pressure and no expectations. I’m definitely a lot hungrier for success this time around. I’m really, really looking forward to it and really motivated. More motivated than I’ve ever been. So I think that’s a good thing.”
1000% Rooting for Le Clos, tired of the USA swimming establishment and I always go with the underdog.
Cool story, but Cseh wins!
I think Le Clos wins 200 fly easier than in London. Cseh is a likable guy, but I do not trust nor cheer for any Easter European swimmer. Hungary, a country of 8 million people, has 30 Olympians? Yeah, no!!!
Cseh could beat Chad. Michael needs to work on the turns, or he is going to get bronze.
” I do not trust nor cheer for any Easter European swimmer ” – please just stop. Hungary has always been a powerhouse of swimming and it goes way back before the iron curtain. Guess who won the first ever 100 m freestyle in 1896: Alfred Hajos. Yes, a Hungarian.
BTW, Hungary has not 8 but 10 million inhabitants. We are at the second place at the ranking of Olympic gold/capita and 8th at the Summer Olympics all time ranking. Hungary traditionally is a sport nation. Sorry to break it to you, but Hungary will become even stronger in swimming soon.
I have never been a fan of false accusations, but it is so funny that nothing an… Read more »
There is no strong borderline between the East and the West anymore. Some Eastern countries have higher standard of living than some western Europe countries now. And the trend goes on… Yes, we make somewhat less, but the cost of living is a lot less too. (purchasing power parity). 😉
I think Le Clos has learned that making Phelps mad is never a good idea
Cseh has completely surprised me. I didn’t see his 1:52 coming. At least Phelps will know he has to go 1:51 if he wants to win.
200 fly gona be epic in Rio. Surely the main event.
Don’t forget Schooling!
Most eagerly waiting for this race!!
Phelps ( the greatest of all time ! Making an incredible comeback.. WHO IS HAPPIER THAN EVER :P..A FATHER NOW !.. trying to claim back the crown in his pet event)
Laszlo ( a guy deserving gold who is always denied by goat..performing the best he has! Can he pull it this time ?)
Le clos ( future of the fly since Phelps left the stage , prince Of fly! 1st swimmer to beat Phelps since 2002 in 200 fly..can he defend his title ?)
For me this is the race to watch!
I hope the race goes crazy fast!
Wait a sec, how do we watch the Finals tonight on TV? NBC scheduling shows stupid NASCAR. Help?!?
Looks like it will be on NBC SN channel, which greatly reduces the size of the audience who can watch it. Swimming gets bumped for people turning left for 2 hours tonight.
Oh, man! I was hoping for a hot sport’s opinion from Le Clos to fire up Michael. What a disappointment! It looks like Chad learned that it doesn’t help his own cause by trash talking MP before a big meet. Well, we can only hope that Le Clos will slip up and diss the GOAT before they swim at Rio. Stay tuned….
King Chad is ready for him. When MP came out of retirement, Chad was asked about swimming against him in the Olympics. He said “it’s great ‘coz I can beat him again”. He can’t wait to give the ageing GOAT a good whipping.