My son's not just a champion South African swimmer – he made me change my life

What the report says

BBC Africa, carrying a BBC Scotland report, says Bert le Clos has described how his son Chad’s swimming career changed not only South African sport but also his own health and family life. Chad le Clos, 34, became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history after reaching 21 medals at the Glasgow Games, moving ahead of Australian swimmer Emma McKeon. His latest medals included bronze for South Africa in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, silver in the mixed medley relay and bronze in the men’s medley relay.

The report focuses heavily on Bert, now 69, who became widely known after his emotional BBC interview following Chad’s 200m butterfly victory over Michael Phelps at the London 2012 Olympics. Bert told the BBC that Chad persuaded him to stop smoking when he was 12 by asking for that instead of a Christmas present. Bert said he has not smoked since, later cut back on daily drinking and lost 41kg after previously weighing 140kg.

BBC Scotland also recounts Chad’s long career, from joining Seagulls Swimming Club as a child in Durban to winning medals at five Commonwealth Games. Bert said he tried not to push his son too early and believed parents should encourage children rather than force them into a sport. Chad made his Commonwealth debut in Delhi in 2010 and then shocked the swimming world in 2012 by beating Phelps by 0.05 seconds in London.

The report adds that Chad has won world, Commonwealth and African titles, competed at Paris 2024 and hopes to qualify for Los Angeles 2028. It also notes his foundation’s work on water safety and swimming survival skills.