Le Clos aims to raise SA flag high at Rio Olympics
JOBURG – Local olympian helps Coca-Cola spread good feelings ahead of Rio.
South Africa’s golden boy, Chad le Clos has been chosen as an ambassador for Coca-Cola for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, which is taking place from August.
Ever since he came into the limelight in the 200m butterfly at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Le Clos has had an irrefutable and excellent track record at the Olympics. He will be joining athletes from around the globe including Michelle Jenneke from Australia and Jodie Williams from England, as the athletes featured in the latest #ThatsGold campaign.
In an exclusive interview in Parktown Le Clos said, “I am proud to be associated with an iconic brand like this for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Representing South Africa on the world’s stage is one of the highlights of my career. I want to show people that ‘gold moments’ are everywhere, not just on the medal podium.”
Sharon Keith, marketing director of Coca-Cola said, “Chad is an extraordinary young man with a promising career that continues to flourish in leaps and bounds. As the company, we are proud to associate ourselves with such talent,”
The eyes of the world will be on the Olympic Games, and Le Clos’ will be on a potential gold medal, as he did at the previous Olympics.
However, the South African competitive swimmer also revealed that he is battling personal issues. “My mom, Geraldine, has breast cancer which has returned since her remission in 2010,” he later wrote in a statement.
“She has recently undergone a double mastectomy and is now having chemo. My dad, Bert, developed prostate cancer and has also undergone an operation in late June.”
The 24-year-old, who is an Olympic, world and Commonwealth swimming champion, said he’s training hard for Rio, even though it not an easy time for him. “More than anything else I want them [mother and father] to win their battles. I also hope that they will be in Rio,” he stated.
Coca-Cola has supported the Olympic Games since 1928, maintaining the longest continuous relationship with the Olympic movement to date.
