Le Clos hopes to do even better

Chad Le Clos produced amazing performances at the National Swimming Championships here in the past week, but how will these translate at the London Olympics?

Before last night's closing session, in which Le Clos was to race the 100m butterfly final, he had already qualified in the 200m and 400m individual medley events, as well as the 200m freestyle and butterfly.

He would like to race the 100m and 200m fly and both individual medley races, as well as the three men's relays.

"I have seven weeks of training to improve myself," said Le Clos. "There's no reason why I can't improve for London, but I don't know what to expect."

All he wants to do - and all he should be expected to do - is match or better his personal bests at the Games.

Medal opportunities will be hard to come by on the toughest stage of world swimming. As of yesterday morning, Le Clos was ranked third in the world in the 200m butterfly, ninth in the 200m individual medley and 10th in the 400m individual medley.

The Americans and several European nations have yet to hold their Olympic trials.

Le Clos and his coach, Graham Hill, have repeatedly said London is not about silverware - that's the goal for 2016.

Le Clos likes playing down his chances in London. "I hope the occasion doesn't get to me," he said at the weekend.

One would think that is unlikely, considering how he simply loves competing. "I like to come from behind but sometimes it bites me in the bum. You have to mix up the strategy."

Roland Schoeman had to endure Sydney 2000 before his Athens haul of three medals in 2004, while Ryk Neethling had to go through two Games empty-handed before his share of the relay gold in Athens.

But relay teammates Darian Townsend and Lyndon Ferns were at their first Games, as was Terence Parkin when he bagged silver in the 200m breaststroke in Sydney 12 years ago. The good news for Le Clos? Parkin and Townsend were coached by Hill.