I’m ready for the dance - Chad

A huge support of people arrived at OR Tambo to welcome back Team SA, from the London Olympics. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 14/08/2012

A huge support of people arrived at OR Tambo to welcome back Team SA, from the London Olympics. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 14/08/2012

Published Sep 25, 2012

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Durban’s Olympic golden boy hopes to re-live his matric dance when he accompanies a Glenvista High School pupil to her dance on Saturday.

Swimmer Chad le Clos, who made a global splash when he scooped a gold and silver medal at the Games in London, told the Daily News yesterday that he was “more than ready” to take the plunge.

Melanie Olhaus, who lives in Gauteng, asked Le Clos on his return from the Games at OR Tambo International Airport by holding up a poster asking for a date.

“While I was in London, there were so many offers and invitations [via social media] to accompany girls to their dances. I couldn’t accept them all, but I promised that I would definitely go with the first girl who asked me in person,” he said.

“What I’m doing is keeping that promise.”

He was planning on presenting Olhaus with a bouquet of flowers personalised with her name.

Le Clos said preparations were well under way and that he was intending to wearing a bluish-black suit to match Olhaus’s navy blue dress.

“I’m still deciding whether I should wear a red or blue tie.”

He said that he had not spoken to Olhaus often, but had called her to confirm his attendance and to discuss arrangements.

Le Clos said the dance was also an opportunity to enjoy the teen rite of passage as his own dance had been a rushed affair.

“I had to fly out to an international swimming competition the next day so I couldn’t even go to the after party,” he said.

He said despite previous reports, he would “definitely be spending more than an hour” with Melanie and her school mates.

He said he wanted the dance to be special, something he and Olhaus would look back on fondly.

This dance would not be less rushed though, with the gold medallist having to fly to the Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup 2012 in Dubai on Sunday.

Le Clos said he would be at a promotional event at Kings Park on Friday with his swimming team, the Mr Price Seagulls swimming club.

“I’ll depart for Johannesburg on Saturday morning,” he said.

He will be back in Durban the next morning and take his flight to Dubai on Sunday night. - Daily News

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