Chad le Clos Returns to Swimming with Midmar Mile Charity Swim
Olympic gold medalist Chad le Clos is returning to the water to take on the 8-mile Charity Challenge at the Midmar Mile in February.
The swim is a rare participation for le Clos, the 2012 Olympic champion in the men’s 200 butterfly, in the world’s largest open-water swimming event. He’s often been involved with the swim, held at the Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg in his native South Africa, mainly through his charitable Chad le Clos Foundation. But as the 33-year-old plots his next steps in the sport, he’s going to be in the water in KwaZulu-Natal this time.
“I’m very excited. To be honest, I haven’t swum much at Midmar,” he said in a press release. “I’ve always been there whenever I could. … I’ve always supported the Midmar Mile long before my foundation was involved, but I just really love to be there. I think it’s a great day. I think from the Thursday through to the Sunday, it’s just a great weekend.”
Le Clos has been on an extended break from competition since early in 2025, in part to nurse and fully recover form nagging injuries. He’s targeting the 2026 Commonwealth Games as a return to the pool, with a build toward a potential fifth Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 possible.
Le Clos began his eponymous foundation in 2018, working to promote water safety and drowning prevention education, create safe access to water and engage with communities, particularly from disadvantaged communities. Swimming Midmar is a chance to connect with a place where he has raised millions for charity.
“For me personally, I’m really excited to swim the eight miles. I’m going to be doing a mile with each of the people who are swimming for my foundation,” he explained. “So I’ll be swimming a mile with each and just trying to lend my name and try to be the best I can, for the kids, to be honest.”
The 53rd annual Midmar Mile, sponsored by aQuelle, runs Feb. 5-8. The Charity Challenge events are on Feb. 5-6, with main events on the final two days of the weekend.
