Chad le Clos fell to Michael Phelps, and the internet tore him to shreds

Fourth-Place Medal
Four years after beating Phelps in London, Le Clos finished fourth in the 200-meter butterfly. (Getty)
Four years after beating MICHAEL Phelps in London, CHAD Le Clos finished fourth in the 200-meter butterfly. (Getty)

If you mess with Michael Phelps, you mess with America. South African swimmer Chad le Clos learned that the hard way Tuesday.

Le Clos has become an Olympic villain of sorts, at least as far as United States swimming fans are concerned. He beat Phelps four years ago in the 200-meter butterfly in London, then tried to get in Phelps’ head Monday night before a semifinal heat in the same event. That led to this memorable photo:

Michael Phelps does not care what you do, Chad LeClos.
Michael Phelps does not care what you do, Chad LeClos.

Phelps got his revenge Tuesday in Rio. He won the 200-meter butterfly. Le Clos finished fourth, off the podium. And the internet tore him to shreds.

Not that Le Clos cares what his rival’s countrymen say on Twitter, and not that he cares what his Wikipedia page says, but Phelps fans didn’t hold back. Here’s a sampling:

Wikipedia was quick to pounce and remove the edits, but Phelps fans would not relent. The edits just kept on coming:

It got so bad that Wikipedia eventually appeared to disable edits on Le Clos’ page.

But that didn’t stop Twitter:

And of course, our good old friend Crying Jordan:

You come at Phelps, you better not miss.