Swimming: One does not have to live under Phelps' shadow: Le Clos and Katinka

Chad Le Clos and Katinka Hosszu during the Fina/airweave Swimming World Cup 2016 press conference at Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai.

Michael Phelps is inspiring and not a case of having to live under his shadow, superstars Chad le Clos and Katinka Hosszu reckon.
"In London I had success over him for gold but in Rio he got the better of the field. He is one great person and a continuous source of inspiration for those competing with him and for the new generation," said Le Clos, the youngest ever South African world champion.
"We have our own goals but his (Phelps) versatility in so many different types of events makes him the swimmer of this generation. I do not agree with the idea that we have to play second fiddle and have to live under his shadow," Katinka said in Dubai on Monday.
"My aim was to get an Olympic medal in London which did not happen. Now see, I took home four from Rio and it was a record for my country as well. We have our milestones to target and try to achieve, so other performers whether they do well or not should not be an added pressure," added Katinka.
Le Clos who won two silvers and Katinka who clinched three golds and a silver at the Rio Olympics are in Dubai for the Fina/airweave Swimming World Cup at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event was announced on Monday at the venue in the presence of officials from Fina, the world body for the sport, the UAE Swimming Federation, the Dubai Sports Council, Le Clos, Katinka and UAE swimmer Mohammed Almeheri.
Le Clos and Katinka are now into a phase where preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics begin after a break following the Rio Games.
"The World Cup is one for taking part without any kind of pressure," said Katinka, "I have been a regular in Dubai for the Fina short course events for four continuous years. I chill out here, see places and go into the events totally relaxed, unlike the high pressure world championship and the Olympics," Katinka who did not win a medal in London, said.
 "On whether I have definite plans for a particular type of training and participation routine with 2020 in mind, well let me say that Dubai is a start, we will wait and see," Katinka said.
Katinka broke two world records in individual events at the 2016 Summer Olympics and specialises in individual medley events, and is also a five-time long-course world champion.
Le Clos won a silver in the 200 metres men's freestyle, finishing behind China's Sun Yang in Rio; and in the 200 metres butterfly in which he was the defending champion, saw Phelps take the honours. Le Clos won a second silver medal in Rio in the 100 metres butterfly, in a three way tie with rivals Phelps and Laszlo Cseh (Hungary), where Singapore teenage sensation Joseph Schooling won gold.
"The buildup for Tokyo will definitely be making a beginning here for me in Dubai tomorrow and the day after (Tuesday and Wednesday). I have to be there and I hope if Phelps is still there, get another chance to beat him."
moni@khaleejtimes.com