Chad Le Clos has dominated the butterfly events since the London 2012 Olympic Games, but South African swimming legend Ryk Neethling believes the country’s golden boy can become a force in the 100m freestyle, too.
The 23-year-old has dabbled with the 200m freestyle on a few occasions but demonstrated he has the speed to drop down and compete in the 100m freestyle.
At the first leg of the Fina Swimming World Cup in France, Le Clos unleashed a new personal best time in the 100m freestyle, clocking 48.16 seconds which was also the sixth fastest time this year.
Neethling, a member of the “awesome foursome†that won the gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2004 Athens Games in world-record time, said Le Cos could dominate the blue-riband event in years to come.
“We will always remember Chad for that one race but I think his best is still to come in the 100m freestyle – but maybe not in the next year,†Neethling said.
“From 2016 onwards we will see him develop into one of the best swimmers in the 100m freestyle and butterfly.â€
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