World-class swimmers seek trip funding

Four members of the South African Down syndrome swimming squad at a recent training session in Durban North: Rentia Oosthuizen from the Eastern Cape with Durban participants Sean O’neill, Karl Hebbelmann and Melisa O’neill . Oosthuizen is also South Africa’s top female Down syndrome athlete and holds the world record for being the first woman with the genetic chromosomal disorder to complete a 10km race.

the organisation had applied to the national lottery for funding last year, but their application had been rejected.

“It’s sad because South Africa participates in each event with great success. On many occasions, we emerged as the top Down syndrome swimming team with our swimmers now holding world records,” said Fowler.

The team:

The South African team selected for the 2018 Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships comprises: Jennifer Higgins, Rentia Oosthuizen, Minke Janse van Rensburg, Karl Hebbelmann, Jan-hermann Els, Hannes-walt de Klerk, Hylton Heggie, Sean O’neill and Melisa O’neill.