By: Amy WolfWriting 2

Professor Patterson

Natalie du toit: Swim Your Own RaceNatalie du toit: Swim Your Own Race

As a teenager, Natalie du Toit was a prominent swimmer. She qualified for the 1998 Commonwealth Games at a young age of 14.

In 2001, Natalie was in a devastating car accident, forcing her to amputate her leg.

Despite the loss of her leg, Natalie continued to swim.

Less than two years after her accident, she qualified for the finals of the 800 meter freestyle at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, marking

the first time an amputee raced in the finals of an able-bodied international swimming competition.

In 2003, competing against able-bodied swimmers, Du Toit won gold in the 800 meters freestyle at the All- Africa Games a silver in the 800 meter

freestyle and bronze in the 400 meter freestyle at the Afro-Asian Games.

At the 2004 Athens Paralympics, she won 5 gold medals and one silver medal.

In 2008, Natalie achieved her dreams by competing in 10 km open swim at the Beijing Olympics. She is the first to compete in both the

Olympics and Paralympics, breaking the barrier between disabled and able- bodied swimmers.

Natalie swimming the10 km open water race for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She placed 16th.

Natalie also competed in the 2008 Paralympics. She won 5 gold medals, dominating every race she swam in.

For both the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics, Du Toit was chosen to carry the South African flag for the opening ceremony.

She is the first athlete ever to carry the flags at both competitions.

Natalie swam her last Commonwealth Games in 2010. There, she won 3 gold medals.

Her last major swim competition was the 2012 London Paralympics.

There, she won 3 gold medals and one silver medal.

With the 2012 Paralympics as her last competition, she ended her career with a total of 13 gold medals and two silver medals.

Along with her medals, she has won several awards and honors for her achievements in swimming and breaking down the barrier

between disabled and able- bodied sports.

After retiring from swim, Natalie travels as a motivational speaker, sharing her story and what she has learned along the way.

She shares her life’s journey with audiences of all ages and has truly become an inspiration for many people, not only in South Africa, but

all over the world.

Image Sources:

Slide 1: http://www.5seasons.co.za/artists/natalie-du-toit/Slide 2: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/1388170.stmSlide 3: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Car_Accident.jpgSlide 4: http://dealforhope.wordpress.com/about-them/role-models/natalie-du-toit/Slide 5: http://dealforhope.wordpress.com/about-them/role-models/natalie-du-toit/Slide 6: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/the-oscar-effect-that-transformed-a-movement-8084682.html?action=gallery&ino=2Slide 7: http://www.zimbio.com/Natalie+Du+Toit/pictures/2/Member+PicturesSlide 8: http://ewn.co.za/2012/09/07/Du-Toit-retires-from-ParalympicsSlide 9: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/photo_galleries/3682340.stmSlide 10:http://www.sport24.co.za/Multimedia/Photos-Of-The-Month/August-2008-20120425Slides 11- 20: http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Natalie+Du+Toit/browseSlide 21: http://www.nataliedutoit.co.za/2008/09/Slide 22: http://mype.co.za/new/2011/01/natalie-du-toit-steals-pe-hearts/