Chad le Clos, South Africa's most decorated Olympian, is resolute about his chances at the Paris Olympics.
What Drives Him?
He has unfinished business, he told CNN.
At 32, Le Clos is a different person, having matured a lot since his first Olympics in London.
A Transformative Journey
In 2022, he embarked on a transformative journey, switching to German coach Dirk Lange and training in Germany.
This move paid off, as he won silver in the 200m butterfly at the Commonwealth Games in October 2022.
Recent Success
He then took gold in the same event at the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, setting a new African record.
Le Clos looks back on his first Olympics, where he claimed gold in the 200m butterfly, as a cautionary tale of mental preparedness.
Redemption Ahead
He will look for redemption in the 100m butterfly at the Paris Olympics, aiming for another gold.
On his first Olympics, Le Clos said he had nothing to lose, but now he understands what's on the line.
He knows what an Olympic medal means to his country, family, and sponsors.
Le Clos began swimming at eight or nine years old, but it was the 2004 Athens Olympics that drove him to pursue the sport further.
He watched Michael Phelps win six golds and two bronzes, and he knew he wanted to be that guy.
Le Clos will compete in his fourth consecutive Olympic Games, seeking to add to his four Olympic medals.
He is ready for the challenge, having prepared well and feeling strong.
The Paris Olympics will be a chance for Le Clos to prove himself once again, and he is determined to make it count.