Chad shares his journey
Chad le Clos' book, 'Unbelievable' is an inspiration.
THE news about the ‘boy-next-door’ who achieved an Olympic gold medal in 2012 for swimming made South Africans proud.
Chad le Clos shared his fame unwittingly with his supportive and passionate, dad, Bert, who was captured on TV leaping about the stand shouting, ‘unbelievable’, when Chad’s name came up on the board as the winner of the 200m butterfly final at the Olympic Games in London.
The win was that much greater because Chad had beaten his idol, Michael Phelps.
In his book, CHAD LE CLOS – UNBELIEVABLE!, with Myan Subrayan, Chad has written about his journey from being a soccer-loving youngster, to becoming a swimming star.
His story is peppered with comments from his close friends, coaches, principal of his former high school, Westville Boys’ High, and of course, his dad.
Obviously, it is no easy feat to become an Olympic gold medallist, and Chad shares not only the tough training regime he had to follow, but also clearly reminds us that without his supportive family, coach and friends, he could not have achieved this.
But, by the same token, the people closest to him all say it is Chad’s determination, positive attitude, dedication and commitment that got him to the top.
Chad wants his story to inspire others to follow their dream and realise that, while it requires hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve the dream they feel most passionate about.
Author Myan Subrayan is a writer and motivational speaker, and works with top sportspeople and professional teams as a life coach. He is the author of Pierre Spies: More than Rugby and Inga: My Story, biography of former All Black Inga Tuigamala
