The eagerly anticipated Summer Games was officially declared open this afternoon during the opening ceremony in Tokyo.

South Africa’s two biggest hopes in the pool will be Chad le Clos and Tatjana Schoenmaker.

Neethling, who won Olympic gold in the 4×100 m freestyle relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens says that plenty world records will be broken.

“We will won’t see another Michael Phelps. He was a once in a generation or history athlete.

“There will be new top athletes, if we look at the Americans, especially on the men’s side.

“In the pool look for some incredible performances.

“There are guys like Michael Andrew, who has South African roots. His dad is from South Africa, so we can cheer him on as well.

“I actually expect quite a few world records in the swimming pool at this Olympic Games.”

The swimming at the Tokyo Aquatics centre starts on Saturday with the Men's 400m Individual Medley heats.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport