On 31st July 2012 Chad le Clos, and his larger-than-life father Bert, became global stars when the 20-year-old Chad pulled off the “unbelievable” by beating Michael Phelps to Olympic Gold. In August the eyes of the world will focus on the two greats again as they face off at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Sir Matthew Pinsent was granted privileged access to Chad and the amazing Le Clos family as the swimmer embarked on his journey to Rio. His film airs on OneToWatch #12Won YouTube at 5pm today (Sunday).
The documentary is a fascinating insight into Chad’s brutal Olympic preparations. While Chad was cementing his place at the top of his sport and in the hearts of the public, behind the scenes he was dealing with new pressures as first Bert developed prostate cancer and then his mother Geraldine saw her breast cancer return. Geraldine opted to have a double mastectomy while Chad continued his Olympic training.
His parents refused to let the cameras stop rolling on “UNBELIEVABLE” during their cancer treatment. Chad admits that it has “been the toughest time of my life” but says that the pain only makes him more determined to win gold. “If you are swimming for something greater than yourself,” he says, “then you can achieve great things.”
But Le Clos must again beat Phelps to claim a gold medal this year. The American has come out of retirement for one last shot at the Games, and at Le Clos, who he should face in the 100m and 200m butterfly in Rio on August 8th and 12th. “They are going to be the most anticipated races, I think, ever,” Le Clos says in UNBELIEVABLE.
With stories and opinion from family close friends, swimming legends Milo Cavic, Rowdy Gaines and Roland Schoeman, HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, cricketer Dale Steyn and the BBC’s Clare Balding, UNBELIEVABLE is a gripping tale of one man’s mission to achieve his Olympic dream. It also affords an intimate insight into the world of Bert– who has become one of world sport’s most popular characters.
A OneToWatch #12W production, UNBELIEVABLE has been directed by Sir Matthew Pinsent, himself a four-time Olympic Gold medallist and BBC broadcaster. Matthew said: “When I started this project, I only knew about a talented athlete and his larger-than-life father. What I have learned about this family, their resilience, the reality of coming from South Africa, and the power of sport has been very special for me.”
Chad said: “It has been a real privilege to welcome Matthew into our lives. The public will get a very honest portrayal of my story and the build up to the biggest week of my life in Rio this summer.”
Embargo details
All content from UNBELIEVABLE is embargoed until 5pm, 24 July BST.
Screening details
SuperSport
Sunday July 24 6pm (SuperSport1), 8pm (Select SA)
Monday July 25 7am (SS5), 3.15pm, 9.15pm (Select SA), 7.30pm (SS1)
Tuesday July 26 6am (SS1), 7am, 6pm (Select SA), 8pm (SS5)
Wednesday July 27 6am (SS5), 8am, 8pm (Select SA), 7pm (SS1)
Eurosport
Europe
Monday July 25 11.10pm CET (Eurosport 1)
UK
Monday July 25 11.40pm BST (Eurosport 2)
Tuesday July 26 12.30pm BST (Eurosport 2), 7pm BST (Eurosport1)
YouTube
From Sunday July 24 5pm OneToWatch #12W
Chad le Clos official website.
This story is brought to you by Professional Sports Group.
I was starting to feel sorry for Chad being deprived of all that we have here in the USA, then I notice he has his own housekeeper/assistant. Pretty posh.
Anyone know where to check it out? I seemed to have missed it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSaNmVZ6A5I
Well, I’ll say one thing for Chad le Clos, he’s good at promoting himself, which is very important for a professional athlete. Personally, I think his best chance for gold is the 100 fly, not the 200 fly, and IF he wins he will not only have denied Phelps 3-straight in the 200 fly, he will also have denied him 4-straight in the 100 fly. It will be exciting, no matter what happens…
I’m pumped to watch! Anyone know what time EST?
BST (British standard time) is 5 hours ahead of EST (eastern standard time). So the documentary is on YouTube at 5pm BST, meaning it was on YouTube at 12pm EST
What time zone? Wondering what others feel about watching this too?