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Chad le Clos Becomes Most Decorated Athlete in Commonwealth Games History

South African swimmer Chad le Clos sets a new record with his 21st Commonwealth Games medal, surpassing Australia’s Emma McKeon.

Jul 30, 2026, 9:58 AM Al Jazeera

Commonwealth Gamesevent Chad le Clostopic South Africaperson Australia’s Emmaperson South Africa’s le Clostopic World Cupevent South Africanperson Los Angelesperson Commonwealth Games Historyperson Glasgowtopic Chad le Clos’stopic FIFA World Cupevent

Description: British Empire Games, 1950. Photographer: Unidentified Date: 1950 Archival reference: AAPG 25263 W3939 Box 1 www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=2843469 On February 4 1950, the British Empire Games started. This sporting event was the precursor to what is now known as the Commonwealth Games. The games took place in Auckland, New Zealand and the main stadium used was Eden Park. The games were the first to be held after a 12 year break due to World War 2. Australia ended up topping the medals table, with England coming second and New Zealand third. The film footage shown here is from a National Film Unit clip titled Empire Games 1950. The comprehensive footage shows a summary of the opening ceremony of the games and key moments from various sporting events. The National Film Unit was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the Second World War. After 1945 the Film Unit expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the Film Unit produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the National Film Unit's extensive film processing facilities. The image above is from a series of film and production stills produced by the National Film Unit. Taken at the Empire Games, it shows a film crew capturing an unidentified swimmer competing in the games. For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ArchivesNZ Material supplied by Archives New Zealand · Photo by Archives New Zealand from New Zealand · Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 · Source: wikimedia

South African swimmer Chad le Clos has made history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games by winning his 21st medal, overtaking Australia’s Emma McKeon as the most decorated athlete in the Games’ history. The 34-year-old earned the record-breaking medal as part of South Africa’s bronze-winning men’s 4×100 medley relay team on Wednesday, July 30th, 2026.

Le Clos swam the butterfly leg in the relay, marking his third medal of the 2026 Games after previously securing a silver in the mixed 4×100 medley and a bronze in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay. His overall Commonwealth Games medal tally includes seven golds, five silvers, and nine bronzes, accumulated over five Games starting in Delhi in 2010 when he was 18 years old.

Reflecting on his achievement, le Clos said, “It was emotional, but I think those first two medals (in Glasgow 2026) were just a little bit more just because I had to get over the hump and tonight I just had to stay cool and bring it home.”

Looking ahead, he has expressed his hope to qualify for his fifth Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

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Al Jazeera: South Africa’s le Clos breaks Commonwealth Games medal record

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🇶🇦 Al Jazeera · Qatar · Doha

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