Phelps keen to follow Le Clos’ career

The United States’ 17-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps says he is looking forward to following South Africa’s Chad le Clos’s career progress over the next few years.

Le Clos unseated Phelps in the men’s 200m butterfly final on Tuesday and finished joint-second behind the swimming legend in the 100m butterfly final yesterdaynight. “It is going to be fun to watch Chad and see what he does over the next four years,” Phelps said.

“It has really been fun to race with him a couple of times and sort of get to know him. Hopefully we can go cave diving together in South Africa after I retire.”

Phelps said Le Clos had the potential to reach great heights in swimming. “It was cool when Chad was saying that he was bummed that I am leaving,” he said. “I am probably eight years older than him.

“Chad is a kid and he is going to be up here and it shows that anything that you want to achieve if you put your mind to it and you work hard, you can achieve it.

“Chad has put his mind to something and he and his coach have worked together to be able to get where he is.”

I believe I can hopefully keep the momentum going.

Meanwhile, Le Clos said he hoped he would be able to win multiple-medals in future.”I guess maybe if I keep training hard and stay healthy and injury free I could possibly keep going, I don’t know how many I could do,” Le Clos said. “It takes a lot of mental strength and fitness. Hopefully I can keep it going and I have taken a lot of confidence away from this.I believe I can hopefully keep the momentum going.”

Le Clos added that Phelps had told him to continue to live his dreams.

– By