{"id":403677,"date":"2019-11-25T03:29:44","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T10:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=403677"},"modified":"2019-11-25T03:34:56","modified_gmt":"2019-11-25T10:34:56","slug":"chad-le-clos-lifts-league-mpv-in-emotional-return-to-haunt-that-made-him-dad-household-names","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/chad-le-clos-lifts-league-mpv-in-emotional-return-to-haunt-that-made-him-dad-household-names\/","title":{"rendered":"Chad Le Clos Lifts League MPV In Emotional Return To Haunt That Made Him & Dad Household Names"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chad le Clos<\/strong> evoked memories of his life-transforming moment of glory at the London 2012 Olympics after he helped guide Energy Standard<\/strong> to a final-race victory to book their place in the showdown Final Match<\/a> of the International Swimming League<\/strong><\/a> in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

The South African won the 200m butterfly in the same lane five from which he inflicted a shock defeat upon Michael Phelps<\/strong> at the London Aquatics Centre<\/strong> seven years ago, his victory last night steering him to the MVP award by the narrowest of margins from team-mate Sarah Sjostrom<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It was the last race before the skins events – back-to-back, knockout 50m freestyle races which culminate in two swimmers in a head-to-head final \u2013 with three races in six minutes determining the final outcome as Energy Standard overhauled London Roar to win by nine points with 467.5pts.<\/p>\n

Essentially it came down to the fact that Florent Manaudou<\/strong>, who won the 50m freestyle title in this very pool at the 2012 Olympics, reached the final and Duncan Scott<\/strong>, of London Roar,<\/strong> did not.<\/p>\n

Both teams progress to the grand final at the Mandalay Bay Conference Center from 20-21 December with Team Iron (369.5pts) and Aqua Centurions (333.5pts) left to ponder.<\/p>\n

For Le Clos, individual and team victory brought back special memories of that night in July 2012.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIt was a really emotional night for me because I had my dad in the crowd, my family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had the same emotions walking out hearing the crowd because it was very loud tonight. It brought out a similar race: I was touching behind at the 150. I just closed my eyes, bit my tongue and counted to 10. I came off the last wall thankfully ahead and put my head down.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was at this venue in London that Le Clos made himself a household name back in 2012 – and so did his dad, Bert, who was ecstatic and showed it during an interview with the BBC’s Clare Balding straight after his son’s victory, expletives and all, as he spoke about pride in “my beautiful boy”:<\/p>\n