Le Clos sets sights on Phelps world records

Olympic champion Chad le Clos says he will be aiming to break the 100m and 200m butterfly world records held by Michael Phelps at the Rio 2016 Games.

Le Clos told Rio2016.com he has improved since the London 2012 Games, when he beat Phelps to win the 200m butterfly and finished second to the American in the 100m.

"The Rio Olympics are my main focus," the 23-year-old South African said. "I will be in the best shape of my life for Rio and gold is on my mind. The butterfly races are on my mind and Michael Phelps' butterfly world records [100m and 200m] have been on my mind since I won gold in London."

Phelps, the winner of 18 Olympic gold medals, retired after the London Games but has since returned to the pool with encouraging results.

Le Clos said Phelps' presence in Rio would be good for swimming, but believes he has what it takes to deny his rival a dream Olympic farewell in two of his preferred events.

He showed he was on the right track by winning the 100m butterfly gold medal at the world championships in Kazan on Saturday.

"Obviously the 49.82 seconds [Phelps' 100m butterfly world record] will be the toughest - Michael was the first one to go below 50 seconds," said Le Clos. "But I am feeling good and will be in great shape. The main thing I need to work on is my front end, as the second half of my race is much stronger."

Apart from the 100m and 200m butterfly events, Le Clos also plans to compete in the 100m and 200m freestyle races in Rio.

He stressed there were other competitors that were also capable of challenging himself and Phelps.

"Obviously Michael Phelps is the greatest of all time and he would not come back for fun," said Le Clos. "He' ll be coming to win and he will be a huge threat to my goals. But there' s also Daiya Seto, Tom Shields and Ryan Lochte."

Le Clos, who has been to Rio just once before, did not hide his enthusiasm at the prospect of participating at the first Olympics in South America.

"Rio will be a brilliant Olympic Games host city," he said. "The people are great, very passionate, and there is a culture of sport, so they will get behind the athletes.

"The Olympics are huge in South Africa. Swimming is always popular because we usually do well in it, so everyone will be watching. I will have the hopes of the nation on my shoulders come 5 August [Olympic Games opening ceremony] next year - it' s a lot of pressure and it' s a little bit nerve-racking, but I am very excited and I have always wanted this, so I am grateful.

"I have worked really hard and I am sure it will pay off next year. We train in a four-year-cycle that is focused on peaking for the Olympic Games. I will do my best and hopefully that will be enough to be the best swimmer in the world in all my events. I will swim to win." Endi