Du Toit still inspires
OLYMPICS: FORMER SWIMMING STAR HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORT ROLE
Taking an opportunity to look back, eight years after calling an end to her career, retired swimmer Natalie du Toit says support is key to the success of Olympic athletes, in the build-up to the Tokyo Games in July.
Du Toit was unveiled this week among the nominees for the Laureus Sporting Moment award, which recognises performances by athletes in a range of codes over the last 20 years.
After losing her left leg at the knee in 2001, following a scooter accident as a teenager, Du Toit went on to become one of the country’s most accomplished swimmers.
Returning to action the year after her accident, she earned two gold medals in disability events at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, a performance for which she received the nomination for the Laureus Sporting Moment.
For Du Toit, however, it was her qualification for the 2008 Beijing Games open water marathon which remained her own most memorable moment, after she became the first female amputee swimmer to compete at the Olympics.
“One can’t explain what it’s like. It’s not about the award or qualifying. It’s the road you take,” Du Toit told Martin Bester on Jacaranda
FM’s Breakfast show.
After the 2012 London Paralympics, Du Toit announced her retirement after bagging a career total of 13 Paralympic gold medals and 12 World Championships titles.
Now 34, she remains involved in sport and she chairs the SA
Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) athletes’ commission.
And while she admits the nation’s elite swimmers will need more financial support if they are to reach their full potential, she feels the likes of Tokyo medal contenders Chad le Clos and Tatjana Schoenmaker will also need to lean on the teams surrounding them.
“I’m fortunate I had a positive team around me,” Du Toit said.
“When a dream is so far out and you’re unsure you’re ever going to achieve it, you need help in setting small goals along the way.”