In her early teens, Natalie Du Toit had already begun to dominate South African swimming. She laid claim to many national age group records and she came within a whisker of qualifying in three events for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Those closely connected to SA swimming and the talented athlete sensed the real possibility of her achieving great heights and Natalie’s sights were firmly set on the 2004 Olympics to be held in Athens. In 2001, Natalie’s life was forever and brutally changed when a motor vehicle collided with her scooter as she was on her way to school. Natalie says she knew immediately after the accident that her left leg was damaged beyond repair and although her swimming career was to be put on hold for a while, that state of mind would not last long. Doctors amputated her left leg at the knee and inserted a titanium rod into her shattered femur. Most people at this stage would have accepted their lot, but Natalie was determined as ever to get back into the pool. “I just wanted to get back to life again – swimming four hours a day,” she said.

Now 24, Natalie has defied the odds and is today one of the world’s fastest long–distance swimmers and the only amputee to qualify for the Olympic Games. She qualified for the finals of the 800 meter freestyle event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games less than two years after her accident, her appearance being the first time an amputee competed in the finals of an able–bodied international swimming competition. She was named outstanding athlete of the Games and although her accident resulted in her switching her attention to distance freestyle swimming, her goals remained unchanged in that she continually strives to be the best that she can be in her chosen sporting discipline.

Natalie’s journey has become an inspiration for many around the world and she shares her story with audiences in an informal and frank manner. Making time in her training schedule is not easy, but Natalie is always available to anybody who will benefit from her motivational talks. Natalie has certainly defied the odds and overcome tragedy to achieve her goals and we can all indeed learn from her inspirational journey.