Chad le Clos, the most successful swimmer in South African Olympic history with four medals, has parted ways with his coach of 14 years, Graham Hill.

In a statement released on Thursday, Le Clos said:

‘Graham Hill has done a great job as my coach for 14 years. We have achieved a lot together at every level of the sport: The Olympics, The World Championships, The Commonwealth Games and the FINA World Cups.

‘However, having considered everything, I have decided to end our agreement and will now start looking to find a new structure for 2017.

‘For the rest of the 2016 season, I will work by myself. Every athlete has to take responsibility for his or her own career and I feel ready to try a different approach.

‘I would like though to thank Graham for all his hard work, his advice and his friendship. I’ve been fortunate to have one of the best swimming coaches in the world living so close to my family home here in Durban. It has been an incredible journey together and he and his family will always remain good friends.’

Le Clos won two silvers in Rio 2016, in the 200m freestyle and the 100m butterfly, to add to his 200m butterfly gold and 100m butterfly silver from London 2012.