Chad le Clos ‘honoured’ to carry SA flag at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony

South Africa’s swimming superstar Chad le Clos was on Thursday named as one of two Team SA flag bearers for Friday’s opening ceremony at the Tokyo Olympics.

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Chad le Clos, a four-time Olympic medal winner, will perform the task alongside women’s hockey goalkeeper Phumelela Mbande.

The ceremony is due to start at 13:00 SA time and promises to be an opening ceremony like no other.

Traditionally a highlight of any Olympiad with the parade of nations and lighting of the Olympic flame before several thousand athletes, this time around it will be drastically scaled back.

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Fewer than 1 000 dignitaries and officials will be present at the 68 000-seat Olympic Stadium for what was expected to at one stage be a “can’t miss” extravaganza.

Meanwhile, Chad le Clos spoke of the “honour” of leading his country into the stadium on social media shortly after the announcement was made.

“What an incredible honour, I will remember this forever, just been named flag bearer along with @phumz024 for tomorrow’s opening ceremony. Nothing makes me prouder than to lead team into this @olympics  thank you very much and god bless  #TeamMzansi #BringingBackUbuntu #flagbearer“

Le Clos is South Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time having memorably won the gold medal in the 200m butterfly in 2012 in London, edging American superstar Michael Phelps to the wall by 5/100th of a second.

He also took the silver medal in the 100m butterfly in both London and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 as well as the 200m freestyle in Brazil five years ago.

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Contrary to continued erroneous reporting – and another reason to make The South African website your Tokyo Olympics news destination of choice – Le Clos will NOT be swimming the 200m freestyle in Tokyo.

He will focus on the 100m and 200m butterfly.

First up for Le Clos will be the heats of the 200m butterfly where he has been drawn in Heat 5 on Monday, 26 July at 12:30 SA time.

The now 29-year-old veteran of the pool will swim in Heat 6 in the 100m butterfly on Thursday, 29 July at 12:54 SA time.

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