Le Clos loses home in fatal Cape Town fire days after Commonwealth record

Swimming champ Chad le Clos has revealed that his Cape Town apartment was destroyed in a fire that claimed the life of a fellow resident, only days after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history.

According to the BBC, the blaze broke out on the evening of 30 July at the apartment block in Sea Point where Le Clos had lived for more than a decade. The fire spread rapidly through the building, destroying his home and leaving nothing to salvage.

Le Clos, 34, shared the news in a social media post, describing the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that had taken time to process. He also paid tribute to a long-time neighbour who died in the fire, extending his condolences to the victim's family and friends. Reports indicate that the deceased was a 93-year-old resident.

The swimmer also expressed support for fellow residents whose homes had been affected by the blaze, saying the close-knit community would need to rely on one another during the recovery. He has since launched a fundraising campaign to assist neighbours impacted by the fire.

The tragedy came just one day after Le Clos cemented his place in Commonwealth Games history by winning his 21st medal. South Africa claimed bronze in the men's 4x100m medley relay in Glasgow, taking his career tally beyond Australia's Emma McKeon to make him the most decorated athlete in the history of the Games.

It was Le Clos's third medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following silver in the mixed 4x100m medley relay and bronze in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay.

The Durban-born swimmer first competed at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, where he won his maiden medal at the age of 18. Across five editions of the Games, he has amassed seven gold, five silver and nine bronze medals.

Le Clos is also one of South Africa's most accomplished swimmers on the international stage. He famously defeated Michael Phelps to win Olympic gold in the 200m butterfly at the London 2012 Olympic Games, ending the American's unbeaten run in the event that had stretched back to 2001.

Over the course of his career, Le Clos has won four Olympic medals, 16 world championship titles, seven Commonwealth Games gold medals and 10 African titles.

SOURCE: BBC

LINK: https://www.bbc.com/sport/swimming/articles/c141p18xl30o

PHOTO CREDIT: Wikimedia Commons