Le Clos eyes Commonwealth Games history: 'I'm excited to kick-start Chad 2.0'

South African swimmer Chad le Clos is on the verge of becoming the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

LIVE | Team SA at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Le Clos has won an astonishing 17 medals across three Commonwealth Games appearances and is one medal away from equalling the record - jointly held by two shooters, Brit Michael Gault and Australian Phil Adams.

Le Clos, 30, hasn't been in prime form of late, falling short at the Tokyo Olympics and withdrawing from the Budapest World Championships with breathing problems.

But one can't rule him out in Birmingham.

He has an opportunity to make a podium finish in any of his six events at the Sandwell Aquatic Centre and is two medals away from becoming the most successful Commonwealth athlete ever.

"I'm super excited to be in England, I've been here for six weeks now. I've had a bit of a bumper road with a bit of health and breathing problems in Budapest, but I've been medically cleared by the doctors and we've had a good run this time around," said Le Clos.

"I'm excited to kick-start Chad le Clos 2.0. I'm very motivated by my previous times in the last year and a half...

"Covid-19 hasn't been kind to South Africans, especially in the sporting world. [But] I'll be using this to get us on the platform to get us back on top. It's been a hard two years and if I come away with a medal, I'll be the most successful Games athlete in history and that's my main goal.

"Any medal will do for now, but we're obviously hunting gold."

Le Clos will compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly, the 100m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle, and 4x100m medley relays.

The Durban swimmer gets his campaign under way on Friday at 12:32 as he defends his title