Durban - Durban swimming superstar Chad le Clos officially opened a new swimming pool for the Durban Christian Centre School in Mayville on Monday.
The Olympic gold medal swimmer said he had always wanted to be a role model to children. “I hope one day they’ll say I inspired them in some way,” said Le Clos.
School principal Charmaine Smith said that in recent years swimming had become more popular at the school and that the pool had been commissioned in response to requests from parents.
Work began on the pool at the beginning of the year, after 18 months of fund-raising, and it cost slightly less than R1 million to build.
After talking to the pupils and unveiling a plaque at the pool’s opening, Le Clos had to dash to a suit fitting in preparation for Gauteng-based Melanie Olhaus’s matric dance this weekend.
The Glenvista High School pupil asked Le Clos to be her date by holding up a poster at OR Tambo airport when he returned home from the Olympics.
He said this was a busy week for him. “On Friday and Saturday I’m swimming in the Mr Price Seagulls Swimming Gala,” he said.
“Straight after my races on Saturday, I’m flying to Johannesburg for the dance.”
On Sunday he is scheduled to fly from Joburg to Dubai to take part in the Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup.
When asked how he was dealing with all the publicity following his success at the London Games, Le Clos said he didn’t think he was coping all that well.
“I’ll be honest, I’m struggling to keep up, but it comes with the territory and so I’m going to have to learn how to manage it.”
He added that he was looking forward to the dance. “I just really hope Melanie enjoys it,” he said. “After all, the night is all about her.” - The Mercury