Just as Chad Le Clos has shot to international fame as the new Olympic champion for 200m butterfly, his dad Bert Le Clos, has become the unlikely face of Olympic swimming.
Bert was interviewed by the BBC's Clare Balding after his son's victory over Michael Phelps, and could hardly contain his excitement, exclaiming: “Unbelievable! Unbelievable! Unbelievable! I've never been so happy in my life!”
While the original BBC video has viewing restrictions placed on it and cannot be viewed outside the UK, clips of the video can be seen on YouTube and Deadspin.
While watching his son walk around the pool after the medal ceremony, Bert shouts: "Look at him, he's beautiful, I love you!
"I have never been so happy in my life ... It's like I have died and gone to heaven. Whatever happens in my life from now on, it is plain sailing."
Getting a fright when he sees his own large figure on one of the TV monitors, Bert asks Balding if the interview is live and then apologises saying: “Sorry, sorry. I'm ugly, I know!”
Bert's endearing interview has gone viral, even leading to the hashtag “ChadsDad” on Twitter. Hailed by some as the media moment of the London 2012 games so far, the tweets have been pouring in:
“Sport is the greatest thing! Us mortals can't win Olympic medals, but we can still feel it (almost!!) like #chadsdad #london2012 legend #SA”
“The best thing about the Olympics so far = #ChadsDad”
“I want Chad Le Clos to win so I can see his dad again! #chadsdad”
“Dear BBC, can we please have Chad's Dad on again tonight?”
“Fine work from the BBC there getting #chadsdad on. That is what the Olympics are about and what they mean to people”
“Chad, your old man rocks. I have just looked in the dictionary at the word 'proud' and this is what I found. #ChadsDad”
Chad Le Clos won the race in 1min 52.96sec, swimming alongside his long-time hero, Michael Phelps (who finished just 0.05sec after Le Clos). Japan's Takeshi Matsuda took third position. Bert could be seen wildly waving the South African flag in the audience as he watched his son take the gold medal.
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