The south african was 12 when she flew from cape town to crystal palace for a junior swimming meet, her first act on the international. May 17, 2011 swimmer natalie du toit is the first female amputee to ever compete at the olympics shes won gold medals at the paralympics and the commonwealth games south african du toit plans to retire after. South africa sent a team to compete at the 2008 summer paralympics in beijing, china natalie du toit, five time gold medallist at the athens paralympics in 2004, competed in six swimming events. Natalie du toit makes it golds in 200 metre individual medley sm9 three dripping nereids ruled the pool last night. Du toit retired after the 2012 london olympic and paralympic games with an impressive paralympic record, winning golds and 2 silvers at three games. Beijing ap natalie du toit of south africa won her fourth gold medal in swimming at the beijing paralympics, taking the 400meter freestyle. Feb, 2012 du toit first competed internationally at the age of 14, when she took part in the 1998 commonwealth games in kuala lumpur. Natalie du toit of south africa and stephanie millward of. Paralympic and commonwealth games swimmer, natalie du toit. Du toit competed in the 2012 london paralympic games to score. Paralympic swimming champion natalie du toit hopes her new role with south africas institute for drugfree sport can help clean up the sporting world. Sa swimmer du toit nominated for laureus sporting moment award.
Beijing natalie du toit won the 100meter butterfly gold medal at the beijing paralympics on sunday, less than three weeks after her openwater olympic swim in which she finished 16th in a. Three women, three countries, three golds, and the aquatics. Sep 14, 2008 south african swimmer natalie du toit won the womens 50m freestyle to clinch her fifth gold medal of the 2008 paralympics in record time. During the 2002 commonwealth games in manchester, du toit, who was then 18 years old, won both the multidisability 50 m freestyle and the multidisability 100 m freestyle in world record time. She was flag bearer for south africa at both opening ceremonies for the olympic and paralympic games in beijing in 2008. Feb 08, 2018 south africas most decorated paralympian swimmer, natalie du toit, will take on the midmar mile race, to raise funds in aid of survivors of child abuse. Jul 17, 2010 natalie has won over 15 gold medals at various international events for disabled sportspersons and, in the beijing olympics, finished in 16th place in the 10,000 metre swim, just over 1.
It was nearly not enough though, with russias irina grazhdanova finishing 0. Poet mbali vilakazi pays tribute to south african swimmer natalie du toit, the first female amputee ever to qualify for the olympic games. Until beijing there had been three athletes who had participated at both olympic and paralympic games. Natalie du toit natalie du toit is one of the most successful disabled athletes of all times, and an inspiration to many.
South africas natalie du toit is something of a legend. Natalie du toit of south africa and stephanie millward of great britain compete in the womens 200m individual medley sm9 final on day 8 of the london 2012 paralympic games at aquatics centre on. Onelegged swimmer who moved the world natalie du toit. She also represented south africa at the beijing olympics.
Natalie du toit of south africa celebrates after winning gold in the womens 400m freestyle s9 final on day 6 of the london 2012 paralympic games at aquatics centre on september 4, 2012 in london. A scooter accident in 2001 forced doctors to amputate her left leg. Swimming womens 100m butterfly s9 final london 2012. She made it 11 golds earlier today with a win in the 100 butterfly. South africa competed at the 2012 summer paralympics in london with a team of 62 athletes the south african sports confederation and olympic committee sascoc, which is the national paralympic committee of south africa, announced a team of 62 competitors for the 2012 paralympics on 20 june 2012. Sacajeweya hunter usa, in athletics, in 1984, and natalie du toit rsa, in swimming, and natayia partyka poland in table tennis, in 2008. Natalie du toit, south african swimmer olympic motivation. Natalie du toit, south africa the 27yearold will be competing in her third paralympics and chasing another five golds to add to the 10 she already holds. Natalie du toit wins first gold for sa sapeople your. Tv is the international paralympic committees online paralympic sport tv channel. South africa at the 2012 summer paralympics wikipedia.
Kevin paul will be aiming to regain his paralympic title in mens 100m breaststroke sb9. Swimming womens 100m butterfly s9 beijing 2008 paralympic games. Natalie du toit, south africa winner of paralympic gold medals, du toit is widely hailed as a legend in swimming. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images.
Aug 05, 2008 one of the most successful disabled athletes of all time, natalie du toit was already a promising swimmer when she lost her leg in a motorcyle accident in 2001, aged just 17. Up next onelegged swimmer who moved the world natalie du toit duration. Bbc world service sporting witness, tied test match. Bbc world service sporting witness, natalie du toit. South africas natalie du toit dives during a training session in the guadalquivir river in seville, may 5, 2008.
Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Swimming womens 100m butterfly s9 beijing 2008 paralympic. South africans natalie du toit dominates the final and wins the gold medal. Confused about the paralympic classification system.
Gold medallist natalie du toit of south africa poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the womens 200m individual medley sm9 final on day 8 of the london 2012 paralympic games at. Jul 14, 20 natalie du toit, south africas golden swimmer 14 july 20, 12. She is one of the most recognisable faces and names in sport and public life in south africa. South africa at the 2008 summer paralympics wikipedia. The 2012 paralympic games was her final international event.
Natalie du toit driven to succeed at final games after winning south africas first gold natalie du toit won her 11th paralympic gold medal on thursday night. Silver du toit natalie rsa south africa bronze gascon sarai esp spain the international paralympic committee ipc is the global governing body of the paralympic movement. Disabled swim star who wouldnt give up olympic dream. Gold medallist natalie du toit of south africa poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the womens 100m butterfly s9 final on day 1 of the london 2012 paralympic games at aquatics. Gold medalwinning swimmer, natalie du toit, is one of south. Pistorius, perhaps the most talked about paralympian ever, won gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m at the beijing 2008 paralympics. Natalie du toit 20 paralympic athletes to watch at. In 2008, the south african swimmer, natalie du toit, became the first athlete to qualify to compete at the paralympic and olympic games. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Her last major swim competition was the 2012 london paralympics. Other members of the swim team included charl bouwer, kevin paul, tadgh slattery, achmat hassiem, shireen sapiro, emily gray, sarah shannon. Claire cashmorethe international paralympic committee ipc is the global governingbody of the paralympic movement. Swimming womens 100m freestyle s9 final london 2012. But the 24yearold student from cape town achieved an inspirational dream this summer when she became the first athlete to qualify for both the paralympic, and the.
Natalie du toit walks away from the games with a silver lining and a parting shot sometimes, great sporting careers climax in the most luminous blazes of glory. It is 15 years since natalie du toit first visited london. It was not quite the fairytale ending to her paralympic. Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about html5. Natalie du toit photos gold medallist natalie du toit of south africa reacts after competing in the womens 200m individual medley sm9 final on day 8 of the london 2012 paralympic games at. She was born there on january 29th, 1984, and she grew up to become a gifted competitive swimmer.
South african paralympian natalie du toit awarded with. The 2012 summer paralympics, the 14th summer paralympic games, and also more generally known as the london 2012 paralympic games, were a major international multisport event for athletes with disabilities governed by the international paralympic committee ipc, that took place in london, united kingdom from 29 august to 9 september 2012. Congratulations to natalie du toit who won south africas first gold medal at the london 2012 paralympics yesterday. Paralympic and commonwealth games swimmer, natalie du toit image jul 29, 2016 12. Natalie du toit of south africa competes in the womens 100m butterfly s9 heats. On sunday 22nd september 2019, the international paralympic committee celebrates its anniversary of thirty years.
She is best known for the gold medals she won at the 2004 paralympic games as well as the commonwealth games. A photo essay depicting natalie du toit s amazing swim career. Autoplay when autoplay is enabled, a suggested video will automatically play next. The ipc organizes the summer andwinter paralympic games, and serves as the international federation fornine sports, for which it. With paralympic golds and 12 worldchampion titles under her belt, she announced her retirement just days before the competition began in london. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available.
South africas star swimmer natalie du toit is up for the laureus sporting moment. Already an established swimmer at the time, she didnt let the setback rob her of a swimming career. The team of 45 men and 17 women were accompanied by 45 managers, coaches and other. Du toit became the third amputee ever to qualify for the. More information about the 30th birthday can be found on the paralympic website. Natalia partyka, a table tennis player who was born without a right forearm, represented poland at the olympics in both 2008 and 2012. Natalie du toit lost a leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001. Sep 28, 20 prior to her accident, du toit had competed for south africa at the 1998 commonwealth games.
London south africas medal tally at the 2012 london paralympics stands at 22 after natalie du toit won silver in her last event ever. May 07, 2012 in 2008, the south african swimmer, natalie du toit, became the first athlete to qualify to compete at the paralympic and olympic games. Natalie du toit international paralympic committee. Natalie du toit of south africa celebrates after winning gold. Paralympian natalie du toit aims to make impact in new. She finished her last race s9 womens 100 metres freestyle with a silver medal only her second. Natalie du toit of south africa celebrates after winning. As part of ewns most inspiring moments in sports history series, we look back at the 2002 commonwealth games when 18yearold natalie du toit burst onto the scene in the most dominant way possible. South africas natalie du toit, above, competed in both the paralympics and the olympics in 2008, winning five gold medals at the paralympics and coming 16th in. Natalie du toit bio, stats, and results olympics at sports.
London 2012 has proved the paralympics is not a secondary event to the olympics, but a parallel event. London 2012 swimming international paralympic committee. At the age of 14, she began to compete in swimming on an international level. The capetonian swimmer, whose left leg was amputated in 2001 following an accident, has already been congratulated by south africas. Sep 17, 2012 south african swimmer natalie du toit speaks about her retirement and her four medals 3 gold and one silver at the 2012 london paralympics last week picture. London natalie du toit cruised to a gold medal in the womens 400m freestyle s9 heats, improving on her earlier heat by two seconds at the paralympic games on tuesday. This category has been natalie du toit s playground since the 2004 olympics, where she won 10 gold medals and one silver. Apr 03, 2020 natalie du toit is an olympic swimmer from cape town, south africa. Apr 30, 2012 in 1960, the west indies and australia played one of the most dramatic test matches of all the time. Great britains fiveaside footballers lose to iran great britain went down 10 to eliminated iran thanks to a penalty and a missed a spotkick of their own published. January 29, 1984 in cape town, western cape, south africa.
Andre brasil, natalie du toit and daniel dias also in action. Yes, i reached the olympics, but i wanted to be top five, she said. For the first time in cricket history, the game ended in a tie. Prior to her accident, du toit had competed for south africa at the 1998 commonwealth games.
The 28yearold was the first ever amputee to qualify for the olympics, placing 16th in the 10km swim at beijing 2008. Silver medallist natalie du toit of south africa poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the womens 100m freestyle s9 final on day 9 of the london 2012 paralympic games at aquatics. Over the last thirty years the ipc has been at the core of developing the paralympic movement. Now, she is defined as a paralympics and commonwealth games goldmedalist swimmer swimmer, natalie du toit. She retired from the sport following her three gold performance at the 2012 london paralympics. Spearheading the athletics will be threetime paralympian oscar pistorius, while fivetime gold medallist in beijing, natalie du toit is the pick in the pool. Paralympian natalie du toit aims to make impact in new role. She is best known for the gold medals she won at the 2004 paralympic. She was one of two paralympians to compete at the 2008 summer olympics in beijing. If i can achieve a dream, then anyone can she lost her leg in a road accident, but went on to swim against ablebodied athletes in the olympics. Natalie du toit natalie du toit photos 2012 london. Natalie du toit photos lr silver medallist natalie du toit of south africa, gold medallist ellie cole of australia and bronze medallist sarai gascon of spain pose on the podium during the. Includes the latest news stories, results, fixtures, video and audio. Paralympian swimmer, natalie du toit takes on the midmar mile.
Natalie du toit still making waves, but now in the. Swimmer natalie du toit is south africas most successful paralympian in individual events. Gold medallist natalie du toit of south africa poses on. Oct 04, 2018 the home of paralympics 2012 on bbc sport online. Johannesburg paralympic games triple gold medallists natalie du toit will pocket a whopping r1. South africas natalie du toit captured an incredible 11th paralympic gold medal with a triumphant time of 1.
Five to watch in london at the 2012 paralympics the. Du toit won her fifth medal in some style, winning the event in a record paralympic time of 29. And when she went to london to compete in the 2012 paralympic games, she won three gold medals. Du toit wins fourth gold medal at paralympics the new.
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