Collins Saliboko inspired by Chad Le Clos’ Commonwealth Games record Glasgow 2026; Le Clos becomes most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete

Tanzania swimmer Collins Saliboko inspired by Chad Le Clos’ Commonwealth Games record: “Seeing that gives me extra motivation”

Speaking exclusively to Olympics.com, the 24-year-old speaks about his admiration for South African legend Le Clos, the sport’s growth in Africa, and his excitement for Dakar 2026.

When a teary-eyed Chad Le Clos looked at the bronze medal adorning his neck at the 2026 Commonwealth Games , he knew it represented far more than just a regular place on the podium.

Anchoring South Africa’s men’s 4×100m freestyle relay team to third place , the swimming icon claimed his 19th Commonwealth Games medal to became the most decorated male athlete in the competition’s history.

But while the personal achievement meant the world to Le Clos, it was also a matter of pride for Africa as a whole.

And for Collins Saliboko , Tanzania’s only swimmer at Glasgow 2026 , it was a reminder of the heights his fledging career could one day reach.

“It made me believe it was possible that an African can get that high, that I can be on a podium,” the 24-year-old told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview.

“It might not be anytime soon, but seeing that is possible gives me that extra motivation to just keep going.”

London 2012 was the first time Saliboko watched the Olympic Games and he was inspired by Le Clos, who stunned the then two-time defending champion and world record holder, Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly to win his only gold medal.

“I love South Africa and Chad le Clos,” said Saliboko. “Seeing him win against Phelps was awesome.”

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Moving from Tanzania to England

Saliboko’s journey to his second Commonwealth Games comes two years on from his Olympic debut at Paris 2024 , where he competed in the men’s 100m freestyle.

At Glasgow 2026, Saliboko - who was also the flagbearer for Tanzania’s 12-member contingent at the opening ceremony - raced in the same event, enjoying his season-best of 53.10 seconds.

While his performance in the heats was not enough to advance further, Saliboko continues to gain valuable international experience, having also competed in the 50m backstroke and 50m and 100m butterfly events.

He has also signed up for the 200m freestyle, with his heats scheduled for Wednesday (29 July).

Born in Mbeya and raised in Dar es Salaam, Saliboko’s swimming journey has taken him to different places.

The dream was born in his homeland Tanzania when he was nine years old but, when he turned 12, came the golden opportunity to move to England on a swimming scholarship.

In his own words, that move helped Saliboko step out of his comfort zone and pursue personal growth.

“I kind of took off from there because there are not a lot of opportunities in Tanzania, " he said in his British accent.

“My parents thought, “OK, why not take this great opportunity and get better coaching or facilities?”

“Since then everything picked up, I started competing internationally, all the way leading up to pretty much having the goal of competing in an Olympics.”

Collins Saliboko carried Tanzania’s flag at the Glasgow 2026 Opening Ceremony

Away from the pool, Saliboko has been making waves, too.

Last year, he was elected to the World Aquatics Athletes’ Committee as Africa’s swimming representative.

Currently a second-year student at the Nelson Mandela University in Porth Elizabeth, South Africa, Saliboko has been a part of the campaigns held across the African continent to develop swimming.

“I have seen some of my friends who’ve gone from just barely winning the heats to reaching semi-finals in the World Championships,” he said. “It’s a win for Africa.

“I like to see those kind of things and be part of that growth. And then eventually, when I’m older, I can get more medals for Africa.”

As much as Saliboko loves seeing the steps taken towards improving swimmers’ performance in the pool, the youngster believes there needs to be awareness created about the sport outside of it, too. Especially in Tanzania.

“Getting people educated about the sport is hard,” he explained.

“Our country maybe has 40 years of background in swimming, we’re pretty young. And then you have the USA, which is so advanced.

“People expect us to like win against them, so to have that education is important. If swimming is shown multiple times during the year then people would be more educated.”

Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026

With less than 100 days to go until the 2026 Youth Olympic Games , Senegal’s capital Dakar is getting ready to host Africa’s first-ever Olympic sporting event.

Saliboko believes the staging of the YOG 2026 in Africa highlights the sporting development in the region.

“I am super excited,” he said.

“I think the Youth Olympics will bring more people into sports, for sure. Africans will see that there are opportunities in sports.

“People in Senegal are very sporty, so hopefully other countries will start to pick up that there are so many sports they could try.”

Dakar 2026 will run from 31 October to 13 November , featuring 2,700 athletes, aged 17 years old or younger, across 25 competition sports.

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Collins SALIBOKO TAN · Swimming Swimming United Republic of Tanzania

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