Abu Dhabi: The best male swimmer in the world, Chad Le Clos, says the simple pleasure of having fun at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival can help boost the burgeoning popularity of the sport in the UAE.
Le Clos, the 2014 Fina Male Swimmer of the Year, said he is relishing his first visit to Abu Dhabi and believes the top-class sporting facilities and growing enthusiasm for swimming can help it develop here.
The 22-year-old has become the poster boy for Saturday’s event at Emirates Palace’s beach, where more than 1,000 swimmers are set to make a splash in various races.
He has fond memories of the UAE, having competed several times in Dubai, where he first won gold at the World Short Course Championships as an 18-year-old in 2010.
Speaking to Gulf News by telephone from his native South Africa, Le Clos said: “This will be my first time in Abu Dhabi — I’ve only passed through there before. It will be really cool to go there and see the kids.
“Obviously it’s about having fun and enjoying the sport before you get serious. I’ve been to Dubai many times and I don’t see why the sport of swimming can’t grow in the UAE.”
The 22-year-old, who famously beat swimming superstar Michael Phelps in the 200-metre butterfly to win gold at the London 2012 Olympics, added: “The sporting facilities in Dubai are first class and the pool there [at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex] is one of my favourite pools to compete in.
“I won my first world title there when I was 18 in 2010. They’ve had the World Cup there since 2011 and every year I think the crowds have got bigger, which is always a positive sign when you see that sport is growing in that area.
“Like I say, it all starts with having fun, ensuring that people can enjoy the sport before they start pursuing it. Hopefully the festival can do that and I and the other guests can make it a great event.”
Would Le Clos fancy being a swimming coach in the future? “Maybe, but I am not sure as I am still pretty young,” he replied. “I definitely want to stay in the sport for as long as I can. Swimming has come a long way in the last 10 or 15 years and I still believe the sport can be taken to new heights.
“Hopefully we can make that happen through events such as this festival.”
The festival is sponsored by the National Health Insurance Company — Daman’s ActiveLife initiative and organised by Professional Sports Group in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The event aims to provide fun for all the family and is open to swimmers of all abilities in a bid to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
Dr Sven Rohte, Chief Commercial Officer at Daman, said: “We are delighted to hear that the world-famous Chad Le Clos will be joining us at the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival by Daman’s Activelife. He is an inspiration to swimmers of all ages and will be a great ambassador for the event, which aims to motivate the UAE community to live a healthy and active life.”
Talal Al Hashemi, Director of ADSC’s Technical Affairs Division, added: “We are determined to make the Abu Dhabi Swimming Festival one of the most prominent swimming events that famous swimmers from all around the world will look forward to participating in, and the presence of Chad Le Clos is a very clear indication to that.”
Visit www.swimabudhabi.com for more information.
