Clegg added: “My coach said something a bit silly earlier, which was that [footballer] Lionel Messi only shows up for the World Cup, and he meant that my experience allows me to step up for these big moments when all season I’ve been swimming a bit crap.
“He will hopefully agree that I’ve done that tonight.”
And how. Clegg attacked the second 50m of the race with relish and pulled away from his rivals to post a time of 24.73 seconds, half a second quicker than he has gone all year.
It also upgraded the silver he won in Birmingham over the distance – achieved when he was not only four years younger, but in much better shape physically.
All that was playing through his mind as he stood on the podium, lip trembling and trying hard to keep his shape, as Flower of Scotland played.
“I was really struggling to keep it together,” said Clegg, who had missed his sister’s wedding amid the preparations for these Games. “Once the anthem started playing, I just started shaking and started to tear up a little bit.
“I’m a very emotional person, but I don’t really let them out very often. And for me to show that emotion kind of, I think, speaks louder than words for me.
“Every time I tried to articulate it, I’ve fallen short of the actual feeling. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I think nothing in my career can really beat that moment. Even winning gold at Paris.”
Asked about her plans at the New York premiere of the three-hour movie, based on Homer’s epic ancient poem, she said: “Sometimes you need to just disappear for a little bit.”
The star is one of the most in-demand actresses and, this year alone, has had five huge press tours promoting projects.
Fans will have seen Zendaya in the final series of HBO’s Euphoria, starring alongside Robert Pattinson in The Drama and reprising her role of Chani in Dune: Part Three.
After a world tour for The Odyssey, she will hit the promo trail once more for Spider-Man: Brand New Day — in which she plays the love interest for star Tom Holland, her new husband.
She has also voiced a new character for Shrek 5, due for release next year.
The actress plays Athena in The OdysseyCredit: GettyZendaya with partner Tom Holland, who also stars in the blockbusterCredit: Getty
Quizzed about what she would do next, she answered: “Oh girl, nothing. Just mind my business, you know? And stay to myself.
“This is such a whirlwind, and you’re kind of like in a new place every second, and your brain is kind of all over the place.
“It’s fun and I’m grateful, and I wouldn’t change a thing, but sometimes you need to just, you know, disappear for a little bit.”
Harper Seven Beckham looked amazing as she rocked her mum’s dress while in IbizaCredit: BackGridJust mere days before Harper wore the frock, Victoria wore it on a yacht tripCredit: BackGrid
The family were spotted soaking up the sunshine during a glamorous family getaway in Spain on Sunday.
In snaps of the famous family taken over the weekend, Victoria and David were seen with daughter Harper, son Romeo and his girlfriend Kim Turnball.
Victoria looked amazing in the photos, rocking a floaty chiffon brown dress, which was covered in a pretty floral print.
But now Harper has been spotted rocking the same exact frock after seemingly raiding her mum’s wardrobe and channelling her chic style.
The Beckhams are currently in Ibiza, with Victoria seen with Harper on a day outCredit: BackGridHarper looked incredible in her mum’s stunning frockCredit: BackGridVictoria wore the garment just days beforeCredit: BackGridThis comes as Harper is poised to follow in her mum’s footsteps as a beauty mogulCredit: Instagram
The teenager was seen out and about wearing the garment while smiling from ear-to-ear.
It is thought that the brown chiffon dress could be a new Victoria Beckham piece from the high-end designer fashion brand.
Harper paired the dress with a stunning £1,275 golden Bottega Veneta clutch bag and a pair of £680 Hermès Oran sandals.
This comes as Harper continues to be tipped to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a fashion and beauty entrepreneur.
Back in October last year, HIKU BY Harper, the proposed name for the skincare and beauty brand, was filed under two trademark applications by the business Victoria incorporated for Harper, H7B Limited, matching the teenager’s full name, Harper Seven Beckham.
A source told us at the time: “Harper loves fashion and make-up and has already started doing make-up tutorials.
“The plan is to create a brand aimed at the younger market, taking inspiration for pop culture and Korean beauty.
Victoria previously said of her daughter: “Harper is going to be one of two things.
“She’s either going to be a beauty mogul or she’s going to be a stand-up.
“She is hilarious.”
This comes after football legend and his wife Victoria were revealed to have amassed a fortune of £1.185billion, as per Sunday Times Rich List.
Sir David’s new eye-watering fortune puts him ahead of the King, whose wealth stands at just £680million.
The Beckhams’ skyrocketing ascent to 141st on the list comes thanks to business ventures including Victoria’s fashion brand and their lucrative production company, which was behind their hit Netflix documentary.
The power couple also have a number of commercial deals with the likes of Adidas, Pepsi, Armani, Coty, which made Beckham’s Instinct aftershave, and the Las Vegas Sands hotel group.
But the biggest increase in the Manchester United legend’s wealth was because of his US football club Inter Miami, which he created in 2018 and owns a 26 per cent stake of.
The hugely popular club is continuously growing thanks to its star players like Lionel Messi and fellow ex-Barcelona star Luis Suarez.
