First Amputee Qualifies for 2008 Olympics
May 5, 2008 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Sports Rumors
This is incredible! I was just on the USA Today site where I read that Natalie Du Toit of South Africa, is the first amputee to qualify for the Olympics! In 2001, she was hit by a car while riding on her scooter and lost her left leg as a result but that hasn’t stopped this 24-year-old champion. She came in fourth place Saturday in the 10 kilometre open-water swim at the world championships in Seville, Spain. Of those participating, the top 10 swimmers qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. "I think this is the first time I’ve ever cried after a swim because it means so much," Du Toit told The Daily Telegraph of London after the race.
How good was she? With a time of 2 hours 2 minutes 7.8 seconds she finished only 5.1 seconds behind winner Larisa Ilchenko of Russia. Outrageous! I am simply blown away by this story.
In case you are wondering (as I was), she doesn’t wear a prosthetic leg during competition which makes this that much more amazing.
Congratulations to Natalie!
image provided by Newscom
I am an American, but I am pulling for Natalie in the women’s swim competition.
Check out George Eyser, he was an amputee who competed in the 1904 Olympics and won gold and silver there.
I am in awe of Natalie Du Toit. I have her book which is very inspiring. Watched her swim the 10km Olympics 2008-just so awesome her brave swim. Am now watching(on T.V.) her swims in the para olympics.She got GOLD yesterday in Buterfly -WELL DONE -YOU GO GIRL!!!
PLEASE CAN YOU EMAIL ME HER SWIMMING SCHEDULE. TIMES IN S.A. IF POSSIBLE AS I DON’T WANT TO MISS HER SWIMS.
BEST WISHES AND PRAYERS TO NATALIE, FROM A BIG BIG SUPPORTER- ANGIE FROMBURG (S.A.)