Olympic Swimmer Chad le Clos warns parents against overpressuring young athletes: 'Let kids play'

South African Olympic swimmer Chad le Clos recently stopped by the "Unfiltered Waters" podcast, hosted by Olympic gold‑medalists Katie Hoff and Missy Franklin, and dropped some bars (facts) mostly for parents who turn their children into mini-athletes way too soon.

Le Clos didn’t beat around the bush; he’s tired of hearing from parents who swear their 10-year-old is the next 200m fly world champion.

“A lot of people come to me in South Africa and around the world and say, ‘Oh, you have to look at my little daughter or son,  they’re ten years old and they’re the best 200 fly swimmer,’” he said.

His blunt response is, "Bro, I didn’t even swim butterfly till I was 14.”

Le Clos says he tries to guide parents without dampening their enthusiasm.

“I’m trying to tell them … they think I’m trying to trip them up, I’m like, no, I’m helping you,” he explained. Kids need freedom to explore, make mistakes, and simply enjoy life.

“You have to enjoy your life. Drink sodas, eat pizza, don’t have a diet until you’re knocking on professionalism’s door,” he added.

He admitted he didn’t follow a strict diet until he almost made the Olympics, emphasising the importance of balance over early rigidity.

Soccer was actually his first love, but he had to stop in high school to focus on swimming. Seeing kids under pressure too early frustrates him: “I see these kids shaving at ten years old, what are you out of your mind?”

This isn’t just him offering advice from personal experience; research backs him.

Early sport specialisation is linked to higher risks of overuse injuries, burnout, and mental health struggles in children.

Studies show kids who specialise before puberty often experience stress, anxiety, and social isolation, which can undermine their long-term performance and love for sport.

Experts stress that playing multiple sports in childhood encourages overall athleticism, reduces injury risk, and protects mental well-being.

Le Clos’s approach hits the sweet spot: he balances humour, realism, and concern for the next generation. By saying, “You have to enjoy life,” he’s promoting a philosophy that combines joy, physical health, and mental resilience.

His perspective is a reminder to parents and coaches that childhood should be about exploration, growth, and yes, pizza and sodas, not pressure-cooker performance.

He is here to remind parents that slowing down, letting kids play, and enjoying life might just be the secret to producing champions, on the podium and in life.