Le Clos would 'love' Commonwealth Games medal record

What the report says

BBC Africa reports that South African swimmer Chad le Clos wants to become the outright most decorated male athlete in Commonwealth Games history when he competes in Glasgow. The 34-year-old currently has 18 Commonwealth medals — seven gold, four silver and seven bronze — matching the men’s all-time mark held by Australian shooter Phil Adams and England’s Mick Gault.

Le Clos, from Durban, is expected to race in the men’s 50m and 100m butterfly events. He told the BBC World Service’s Sportsworld that holding the record alone would mean a great deal, while reflecting that he felt he should already have moved clear at previous Games. At Birmingham 2022, he won silver in the 200m butterfly to draw level with the record, after later saying his preparations had been affected by mental health difficulties.

The BBC says Le Clos made his Commonwealth debut as an 18-year-old in Delhi in 2010, where he won five medals including two golds. He also has one Olympic gold, three Olympic silvers and 16 world titles. After being eliminated in the 100m butterfly heats at the Paris 2024 Olympics and dealing with injuries, he said a break from training advised by his father helped him recover physically.

Le Clos also pointed to his swimming academy in South Africa as a major motivation. The BBC reports the programme has 13 clubs and more than 3,000 members, with plans to expand. He said he is not planning to retire soon and is targeting a fifth Olympic appearance at Los Angeles 2028, while continuing to compete as long as he remains in medal contention.