Home-grown hero hangs up his towel
HOME-GROWN and internationally revered, Cameron van der Burgh made waves whether in the pool or representing his country out of the water.
Van der Burgh last week called time on an unparalleled swimming career, bowing out aged 30 as a five-time world champion, an Olympic gold and silver medallist, and with nine world records behind his name.
He leaves an indelible legacy and a list of international accolades.
Van der Burgh first made his mark as a 19-year-old when he won the 50m breaststroke bronze medal at the 2007 World Long-Course Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
To highlight his longevity at the highest level of his sport, Van der Burgh has stepped on to the podium at every major global event since winning his first medal in 2007.
He produced one of the greatest moments in South African sporting history when he won the 100m breaststroke gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games in a world record time of 58.46 seconds.
After smashing into the wall, Van der Burgh climbed on to the lane rope, tossed his cap into the air, and paid tribute to the late world champion and his friend Alexander Dale Oen of Norway, pointing to the heavens.
Van der Burgh’s contribution to South African sport was recognised when he was announced as a recipient of 2014 National Orders when he earned the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver.
To add to his legacy, Van der Burgh became only the second male Olympic 100m breaststroke champion to earn a podium place at consecutive Games when he finished second behind world record-holder Adam Peaty in Rio in 2016.
He drew the curtain on his career in emphatic fashion at last week’s Fina World Short-Course Championships in Hangzhou, China, where he won the 50m-100m breaststroke double gold in championship records.
While Van der Burgh has surrendered his long-course world records, he bows out with both the 50m and 100m breaststroke marks in the 25m pool behind his name.
South Africa owes Van der Burgh a debt of gratitude for representing his country with dignity and grace, and we wish him the best in his future endeavours.