The young swimmer shot to fame and won the hearts of South Africa and the world when he beat world champion Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly to win gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Chad also won silver in the 100m butterfly, and he was named the South African Sportsman of the Year 2012. These remarkable achievements came at the age of twenty.
Frederik de Jager, Publishing Director for Penguin Books SA, has said of the acquisition, “Few sportsmen have captured the entire country’s imagination quite like Chad has. Bringing his story in book format to his many thousands of fans is bound to become one of those lasting memories of great times in publishing.”
And Chad le Clos has high hopes for his book, “Swimming takes me around the world and I love every moment of it. My most memorable so far is winning the gold in London 2012… even now, I shed a tear thinking about what went into that race and what it meant to me. In this, my first book, I’m excited to be able to share some of those experiences and stories. I’m aiming for it to be an inspiring read that will motivate the reader to know that nothing is impossible!”
Myan Subrayan, who has co-authored biographies of Springbok rugby player Pierre Spies and former All Black Inga Tuigamala, is well-prepared for the task at hand. “Chad le Clos’s story is an incredible one of overcoming many challenges to finally making an indelible impression at the 2012 London Olympics. It’s a great honour to be entrusted to put his story into words.”
Bert le Clos, Chad’s father, won the hearts of many viewers in his unforgettable BBC interview at the 2012 Olympics. The proud father had this to say about the acquisition, “It’s great that we can partner with a formidable international publisher like Penguin, to tell my son’s unbelievable journey to Olympic gold and beyond. I’m thrilled that this is finally going to be available for the whole world to read.”
There can be no doubt that the publication of this book is one of the most anticipated sports publishing events since the London Olympics.
This is the story of the unbelievable. A good-news story of dreaming the impossible dream. It is the story of Chad le Clos from his birth to the present, covering his family, schooling, early swimming days and the 2012 Olympics where he beat the world champion and his hero, Michael Phelps.
It will be an inspiration to sportsmen and women, especially to young and aspiring ones, and a celebration of success, of sound values, of family, and of the best that this country has to contribute to the world.
Unbelievable! by Chad le Clos with Myan Subrayan will be released in mid 2014 London Olympics. It’s a great honour to be entrusted to put his story into words.