Relay team-mates help Chad le Clos to historic 21st Commonwealth Games medal
· The South African
If ever there was a fairytale ending to a Commonwealth Games career, Chad le Clos delivered it in Glasgow on Wednesday evening.
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The South African swimming icon claimed his record-breaking 21st Commonwealth Games medal in the final race of the swimming programme, cementing his place as the most decorated athlete in the history of the Games across all sports.
The milestone came in the men’s 4x100m medley relay, bringing the curtain down on another successful campaign for Team South Africa at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
🥉 BRONZE for Team South Africa in the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay — 3:31.13 at Tollcross Swimming Centre!
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 29, 2026
The squad: Pieter Coetzé, Michael Houlie, Chad le Clos and Ruard van Renen.
The bronze medal also sees Chad le Clos become the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games… pic.twitter.com/p17QYlOFNL
Fitting conclusion
It was a fitting conclusion to a journey that began nearly 16 years ago, when a 19-year-old Le Clos won 200m butterfly gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Now 34, Le Clos stands alone atop the all-time medals table after surpassing Australian swimmer Emma McKeon who held the record with 20.
His latest medal was his third relay medal of the Games, following South Africa’s podium finishes in the mixed 4×100 medley relay and men’s 4×100 freestyle relay earlier in the week.
Reflecting on the achievement, Chad le Clos admitted the moment was emotional.
“Tonight was emotional,” he said after the medal ceremony.
“But I think those first two (relay medals) were just a little bit more because I had to get over the hump and tonight I just had to stay cool and hopefully bring it home.”
The veteran revealed that one of his proudest moments came not from a race he swam, but from watching his team-mates compete.
“Tuesday night’s relay final was probably the most emotional of the Games. The way the boys and girls swam, they swam their hearts out. They keep saying, ‘legacy’, we are doing this for Chad before they walked down. It just means the world to me.”
Family support
Family support has been a constant throughout his remarkable career, and Glasgow was no different.
“I can’t describe the support over the years. This week has been special because my brother’s daughter was born on 1 October 2010 and she was here to watch me 16 years later. They’ve been there every step of the way – my parents, both my brothers and sister.”
Looking back on his Commonwealth Games journey, Le Clos admitted he never imagined becoming the Games’ greatest medallist.
“Looking back on the whole Commonwealth Games journey, from India through to now, I never thought I’d be standing here,” he said.
“To stand alone in history is unbelievable. Four years ago, I needed one more medal, then Emma came past me, and suddenly I needed three more. We just took it one day at a time.”
Record to stand for many years
Le Clos finishes his Commonwealth Games career with an extraordinary haul of 21 medals – seven gold, five silver and nine bronze – a record that may stand for years to come.
Ten of Le Clos’ medals have come in relays.
His achievement also capped a successful swimming campaign for Team South Africa, which picked up 22 medals in the pool, comprising six gold, seven silver and nine bronze.
And on what the future of South Africa swimming looks like going into LA28, he had one response, “unbelievable.”
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Chad le Clos‘ Commonwealth Games Medals
Delhi 2010- 200 Fly – Gold (1:56.38 GR)
- 400 IM – Gold (4:13.25 GR)
- 4×100 Medley Relay – Silver (3:36.12, 52.98 fly split)
- 4×100 Free Relay – Bronze (3:15.21, 50.15 prelims split)
- 4×200 Free Relay – Bronze (7:14.18, 1:48.46 split)
- 100 Fly – Gold (51.29 GR)
- 200 Fly – Gold (1:55.07 GR)
- 4×100 Free Relay – Silver (3:15.17, 48.53 leadoff)
- 50 Fly – Bronze (23.36)
- 200 IM – Bronze (1:58.85)
- 4×200 Free Relay – Bronze (7:10.36, 1:47.13 split)
- 4×100 Medley Relay – Bronze (3:34.47, 51.05 fly split)
- 50 Fly – Gold (23.37)
- 100 Fly – Gold (50.65 GR)
- 200 Fly – Gold (1:54.00 GR)
- 100 Free – Silver (48.15)
- 4×100 Medley Relay – Bronze (3:34.79, 50.10 fly split)
- 200 Fly – Silver (1:55.89)
- Mixed 4×100 Medley Relay – Silver (3:42.61, 52.24 prelims fly split)
- Men’s 4×100 Free Relay – Bronze (3:13.99, 48.29 split)
- Men’s 4×100 Medley Relay – Bronze (3:31.13, 51.27 fly split)