CHAD LE CLOS SAYS FIRE DESTROYED HIS CAPE TOWN HOME AND KILLED NEIGHBOUR

The South African swimmer Chad le Clos has said a fire destroyed his flat in Sea Point, Cape Town, and killed one of his neighbours, on the night after he became the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history. Writing on Instagram, Le Clos said the fire began in his apartment block on the evening of 30 July and spread quickly to his home. "Sadly my home, where I've lived for more than a decade, burnt down and there is nothing left to salvage," he wrote. He extended condolences to the family and friends of his "neighbour of many years", whom he described as having lost his life in the blaze. Local reports cited by the outlets covering the story said a 93-year-old resident died.

Le Clos won his 21st Commonwealth Games medal when South Africa took bronze in the men's 4x100m medley relay in Glasgow, a total that put him ahead of Australia's Emma McKeon for the most medals in the history of the Games. It was his third medal of the 2026 Games, following silver in the mixed 4x100m medley relay and bronze in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay. He won his first Commonwealth medal in Delhi in 2010 and his tally now stands at seven gold, five silver and nine bronze across five editions.

Le Clos said he had launched a fundraising campaign through the Chad le Clos Foundation to help neighbours whose homes were affected, stating that "100% of any donations raised will go solely to my neighbours" and that the foundation would manage the proceeds. He described Sea Point as a tight-knit community and said residents would lean on one another. He also thanked firefighters, first responders, police and emergency personnel who worked through the night. Le Clos won 200m butterfly gold at the 2012 London Olympics, beating Michael Phelps.