Chad le Clos goes MIA at World Aquatics Championships
Chad le Clos was nowhere to be seen at the start of the 200m butterfly heats at the World Aquatics Championships. His absence remains a mystery.
South African swimming star Chad le Clos failed to take to the starting blocks of the men’s 200m butterfly heats at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship in Doha on Tuesday.
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At the time of publishing it was unclear as to why the 31-year-old failed to show up for his heat.
Chad le Clos memorably won the 200m butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics when he upset swimming superstar Michael Phelps in the battle for gold.
Earlier in the championships Le Clos finished 16th and last in the semi-finals of the men’s 50m butterfly.
He is expected to compete in the heats of both the 100m butterfly and freestyle.
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Meanwhile, Le Clos’ compatriot Matthew Sates posted the sixth-fastest time in the heats of the 200m butterfly, stopping the clock at 1:56.40.
In total 16 swimmers qualified for the semi-finals, led by Estonia’s Kregor Zirk whose time of 1:55.58 was a new national record.
Finally, South Africa’s Pieter Coetze will compete in the men’s 100m backstroke final on Tuesday at 18:59 (SA time).