Le Clos could close the distance

01 June 2016 - 10:02 By DAVID ISAACSON

Chad le Clos is feeling stronger now than he did going into the London Olympics, but his endurance needs some work before the 2016 Rio edition kicks off in August. Le Clos, who won the 200m butterfly gold and 100m fly silver at the 2012 Games, is scheduled to start competing in Monte Carlo on Saturday in the first Mare Nostrum gala of the European summer."I feel like I'm stronger than I was [in London]," Le Clos said before leaving the country for a training camp in Doha."I had a hiccup a few weeks ago, my shoulder just popped out again, but nothing too serious. I feel like I'm different, I feel like eventually I'll lean towards the 100m more than the 200m and 400m."Four years ago, Le Clos stunned US legend Michael Phelps to win the 200m fly, and ruled the planet until last year, when he was beaten by veteran Laszlo Cseh at the world championships.Cseh has gone even faster this year, posting 1min 52.91sec, the fastest time since 2009.Le Clos admitted his endurance was not where it should be, but was confident it would improve."I feel like I'm nearly there. I'm missing just 20m, 25m, which will come. I'm not worried at all."Le Clos, 24, has not been faster in the 200m fly than the 1:52.96 he achieved in London, but he has speeded up in the 100m race, as well as the 100m and 200m freestyle.He didn't want to predict the colour of medals in Rio."Four years ago Phelps thought he was going to win it, he got beaten. It would be stupid for me to say I'm going to win three gold medals, you know."..

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