Fairleads swimmer dreams of making a splash at the Olympics
She started swimming at the age of seven.
It is not hard to imagine Chloe Olivier as the next SA swimming phenomenon, a figure to take the baton from Tatiana Smith and continue the country’s incredible record at the Olympics and world championships.
Although a backstroke specialist, she is confident she could follow in the footsteps of greats like Smith, Pennie Heyns and Lara van Niekerk, who brought SA unprecedented success in breaststroke events at major global championships.
Chloe, from Fairleads, is already among the best young swimmers in the region, and her talent is without question to those who have watched her since she started swimming in Grade Two.
The Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (EGA) swimmer has won medals galore, and with this pool-load of talent, it seems she can do nothing wrong.
Outside the pool, her mother, Veronica, describes her as a goal-driven child who is supportive of her friends and dedicated to her academics and sports.
In the pool, Veronica said the minute the St Dunstan’s College Grade 10 learner hits the blocks, she puts on her game face, and it becomes a competition between her and the water.
“There are no more friends. It’s literally her and her race. She gives it 110%. She pushes hard, even when going through pain,” Veronica said.
No wonder Chloe has accomplished so much at just 16 years old. She has competed at the Swimming SA junior and senior galas since 2022 while earning the honours blazer at her alma mater, Rynfield Primary.
Chloe’s journey has by no means been easy, but she makes up for what she lacks by training eight times a week to perfect her specialist 200m backstroke event.
Asked why she chose swimming, she explained that she was always near water as a child and added that coach Shirley Leech recognised her potential.
“I’ve always been in the water since I was a child. I love the water. I used to play netball and other sports, but once I started swimming, my coach told me to stop because I had potential,” Chloe said.
While the swimmer has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Olympians Smith, Chad le Clos and Kaylene Corbett, another Olympian, Erin Gallagher, left a lasting impression on the youngster.
“Erin taught me how to get my timing right in the butterfly. My timing was a bit off. That’s why I was a bit slow. When I got it right, I felt I could pull more water and go further with one stroke,” she said.
Gallagher certainly played a positive role in her career. However, when asked which swimmer inspires her, Chloe pointed across the Atlantic, saying American Regan Smith, the holder of the long and short course 100m backstroke records, is her idol.
“I watch all her races and try to pick up what she does in her strokes that I can maybe use when I race. She’s quick off the wall. That’s what I try to perfect. I’ve got a lot better from watching her,” said Chloe.
The swimmer is preparing for another bumper year. It includes the national junior and senior champs this month and the Treviso Cup in Italy in July.
With all her achievements, the only question is whether she could produce the same form later in her career and represent SA at the Olympics.
“I see myself going all the way. I’m motivated and driven enough to do it,” she said.
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