SINGAPORE — When South African swim star Chad le Clos arrived in Singapore early yesterday morning, he was disappointed to learn that Singapore’s 100m butterfly Olympic champion Joseph Schooling would not be taking part in the Singapore leg of the Fina/Airweave Swimming World Cup.

Le Clos, who lost to Schooling in the 100m final at the Rio Olympics, finishing joint-second with American Michael Phelps and Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, said jokingly to TODAY when asked about Schooling’s absence at the two-day meet that begins today at the OCBC Aquatic Centre: “Of course I am disappointed. I got told that he was coming, that’s why I came here. Why do you think I am here? You guys tricked me here. Come on. Where are you, Joseph? Of course I would love to race him here, although I would come anyway.”

But despite his sense of humour, it is clear that Le Clos had, by his own high standards, a disappointing outing at Rio, one that he would rather forget.

After famously beating Phelps in the 200m butterfly final at the 2012 Olympics, the 24-year-old shocked even himself when he finished fourth in the same event in Rio, which Phelps won in 1min 53.36s.

Le Clos eventually left Rio with no gold medals after finishing second in the 200m freestyle, and he is determined to bounce back at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Standing in his way, however, will be Schooling after Phelps announced his retirement after the Rio Games. “Joseph is obviously a huge star now after winning the 100m fly,” he said.

“I’ve said it many times that he had a great race. From what I can see, he has got a lot of potential.

“I feel he will be a major competitor to me and many guys for the next four, eight years, and however long he wants to swim for.”

But when asked whether Schooling is capable of breaking the 100m butterfly world mark of 49.82s, which was set by Phelps in 2009 during the era of the now-banned super suits, Le Clos displayed his fierce competitive streak again.

“He has already done the fastest time in the world in the textile suit,” said Le Clos, referring to Schooling’s Olympic record time of 50.39s.

“I am sure he can go close to the world record, but I’ll be down his neck, and trying to beat him next time.

“I believe it (the world record) will definitely get broken. Joseph, and a lot of guys are coming through … I think we can both get close to it. We’ll see, maybe next year. Or if not next year, then the Commonwealth Games (in 2018).”

Le Clos’ fiercely competitive nature did get him into a spot of bother during the Rio Games, no thanks to reports emerging of him and Phelps trash-talking each other in the lead-up to their events, as well as videos of him shadow-boxing near Phelps in the call room before their 200m butterfly semi-final.

Le Clos said it “hurt” him that people misunderstood his intentions. “I have no bad feelings towards Michael. How could you hate someone with the same (swimming) genes that I have?” he said. “I’ve been doing boxing since I was young. I wasn’t even shadowboxing then too. I know it looks ridiculous (but) I was just warming up.”

In the meantime, Le Clos is planning to redeem himself at next year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. “Next year, at the World Championships, Joseph Schooling has got to be there,” he said.

“I’d rather lose to Schooling than (win) it when he’s not there. That’s the way I like to roll.”

He is also keeping his fingers crossed that Phelps will succumb to the urge to compete again and come out of retirement.

“I’d like to beat Phelps if he’s there,” he said. “I don’t want Phelps to retire, you understand what I’m saying? I pride myself in racing the best swimmers in the world.

“I would love that (he comes out of retirement). I’d love that more than Joseph would, trust me.

“There is not a man that would love to see him come back more than I would.”