Chad le Clos reports home destroyed by fire during Commonwealth Games

South African Olympic swimming champion Chad le Clos confirmed that his family home was completely destroyed by a fire on Tuesday, while he was competing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The 27‑year‑old, a gold‑medalist from the 2012 London Olympics and multiple Commonwealth champion, was in the athletes’ village when the blaze broke out at his residence in Cape Town.

Le Clos said emergency services arrived promptly but the structure was beyond rescue, leaving his family without shelter and personal belongings. He expressed gratitude for the swift response of the fire department and noted that the incident would not affect his focus on the Games, where he is slated to race in the 100‑metre butterfly and 200‑metre individual medley. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and local officials have pledged assistance to the le Clos family as they begin the recovery process.