‘Don't Poke the Bear': Phelps Teaches Le Clos a Lesson
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Chad le Clos learned a very hard lesson on the world’s biggest stage: Don’t mess with Michael Phelps.
On Monday, cameras caught le Clos trying to get into the head of the world’s greatest swimmer by shadowboxing right in front of him in the pre-race room and then staring at him every chance he got as the two stood on the blocks before their semifinal race in the 200-meter butterfly. For his part, “Phelps stared" straight ahead or didn’t look at him at all in an attempt to avoid the shenanigans and focus on the race at hand.
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Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps of the Unites States, holds their son Boomer and Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother, celebrate after the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps of the Unites States, holds their son Boomer and Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother, celebrate after the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Billy Bush takes a photo with Nicole Johnson and Boomer Phelps on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, Boomer Phelps and Debbie Phelps join Hoda Kotb and Matt Lauer on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson and Boomer Phelps pose for a photo on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps of the United States, holds their son Boomer on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Boomer Phelps, the son of Michael Phelps of the United States, is seen on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps, holds their son Boomer on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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United States' Michael Phelps' son Boomer wears ear protection during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Michael Phelps' son Boomer looks on during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
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USA's Michael Phelps' mother Deborah (L), partner Nicole Johnson (C) and son Boomer watch swimming events from the tribune during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 8, 2016.
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Deborah Phelps (R), mother of Michael Phelps, and partner Nicole Johnson (C) with their son Boomer celebrate gold in the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Michael Phelps points up at his son, Boomer, as his family celebrates gold in the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Boomer Phelps and his mom, Nicole Johnson.
Instead, he let his swimming do the talking in the finals. He won his 20th gold medal of his career (and added a 21st less than an hour later, in the 4x200m freestyle relay) and reclaimed his throne in the 200-meter butterfly — a throne that le Clos snatched away from him four years ago in London.
Immediately after the race, Phelps gave a quick finger (a la Lilly King), possibly in response to all of le Clos' antics.
Phelps then put his arms in the air and soaked in all of the applause showering down on him from the crowd.
Even worse for le Clos than failing to defend his gold medal? He finished fourth. That’s right, after all the build-up for a Phelps-le Clos finale, the South African didn’t even medal.
Predictably, Phelps fans let him have it on social media. Here are a few examples:
Le Clos should've just swam instead of looking over at Phelps every stroke
