The magic of their chance meeting at the national champs in 2023 has continued a year on for SA Olympic swimmer Chad le Clos and Lorraine schoolboy Janco Meyer.
The pair’s “bromance” at the latest event saw the youngster surprising his hero on his 32nd birthday on Friday with a same-age bottle of 1992 KWV Cabernet Sauvignon.
In a moment of déjà vu, the Olympic swimmer repeated his gesture from the year before and presented Janco, 12, with a second 100m butterfly gold medal — albeit this time sharing it dramatically with fellow Olympian Matthew Sates.
“He’s such a sweet kid,” Le Clos said.
“I was just shocked with the bottle of wine he got me [after] I tied with Sates, which was quite special on my birthday.
“We then ended up having a nice little moment with Janco, and I told him he gets to keep the medal whenever I win the 100m fly at the nationals.
“That’s the deal we made for [good] luck’s [sake].”
Le Clos said the sauvignon would occupy a special place in his cabinet for the foreseeable future, with no immediate plans to open the aged fine wine.
“It’s a special bottle, and I’m only opening it after I come home if we get that medal at the Olympics,” he said.
“We have some unbelievably special gifts in my family bar and at our home in Durban.
“And when you have such gifts, it’s tough to open or part with them.
“Having that special connection with a supporter makes it all the more worthwhile, and I’m grateful for these moments.”
Le Clos’s father, Bert, had as much to say about the unexpected gesture from the mother and son.
“I can’t believe it,” he said.
“It was, of course, [another] special moment [which] Chad [matched by] giving him the gold.”
A star-struck Janco gushed excitedly when he spoke of the latest encounter with his idol.
The grade 7 Lorraine Primary School pupil and Nelson Mandela Bay Aquatics age-group swimmer said he was confident Le Clos could return with gold in the butterfly and freestyle events at the Olympics.
“I was thankful to Chad, who said we must keep the tradition going since whenever I come around, he wins the 100m fly,” Janco said.
“I’ll stay up late during the Olympics to watch him swim.
“I believe 100% he’s going to win.”
Janco’s mother, Elmari, said the two had cultivated a special bond.
“I like Chad’s humility and approachability,” she said.
“He even sits with us in the stands after his swims. What a superb guy.”