| PARALYMPIC ATHLETES | NATALIE DU TOIT |
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South African Paralympian
On the opening day of the the 2004 Nedbank Championships
for athletes with a disability, most people
enjoying the sunshine along Durban's famous
Golden Mile beach front were clearly unaware
that within walking distance from them athletes
from all over South Africa and as far away as
the Netherlands were preparing for an international
competition.
Instead they were busy taking a glimpse of the
many Harley Davidson motorbikes lined up in
front of the Casino entertainment complex as
part of this year's Rolling Thunder International
Rally.
But this all changed quickly, partly thanks to
a woman named Natalie du Toit.
Within a day, nation-wide news channels had gotten
busy reporting yet another swimming world record
broken by the famous 20 years old swimmer from
Cape Town.
Natalie already got
world-wide attention last year, when she reached
the final of the 800 metre freestyle at the
Commonwealth Games, becoming the first amputee
swimmer to do so in an event for able-bodied
competitors.
Having already been ranked No. 2 in South Africa
before an accident in which she lost her lower
left leg two years ago, she is now approaching
peak fitness again. Right in time for the 2004
Olympic Games in Athens.
Besides of her rigorous swimming training, which
sometimes asks for five hours a day in the pool,
she now also works as a motivational speaker.
One way to support herself financially Natalie
clearly enjoys.
Recently two South African magazines, SuperSport
and Fairlady, have joined forces to boost her
attempt to qualify for Athens. A generous sponsorship
now allows her to focus on the training for the
South African trials and then for the Games.
© 2004 Steffen Berk
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