Swimming Against the Tide
Written by: Jesse Aduma
Olympic swimming pool
Natalie du Toit's Journey to Gold
From Olympic Swimmer to Paralympic Swimmer
From Tragedy to Triumph, Exploring the remarkable journey of a multi-gold medalist swimmer conquering both Paralympic and able-bodied events. Inside the Inspiring Career of an Olympic Champion.
In competitive swimming, swimmers fight not only against the water but also against their fellow competitors as soon as they enter the pool. Competitive swimming has come to be recognized as a true test of resilience, perseverance, and endurance, a concept that perfectly describes the journey of Olympic gold medalist swimmer Natalie du Toit.
Natalie du Toit, a South African Olympic swimmer, swam her way to stardom when she won the gold medal at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games for the 100 m butterfly event.
Before that, du Toit displayed her aptitude for the sport on an international stage at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, held in Manchester, England, which offered swimming as a multi-disability event. In an 800 m freestyle competition that pitted every disabled competitor against one another, du Toit won by the point system rules, nearing the world record.
Natalie du Toit swimmer with gold medal
Ironically, despite her passion for and proficiency in swimming, du Toit admits she was afraid of the water in her younger years. “I was actually petrified of swimming, and I was always the little sister that had to go and watch my brother play sports. He’s three years older than me, and I used to sit on the side of the swimming pool and watch him train…One day, I just decided that I wanted to swim, and my mum went up to the coach and asked the coach if she would mind putting me in the water and seeing if I [was] any good at it. So, I got into the water, and I guess I just kinda took to it.”
Du Toit was immediately captivated by the sport and put her all into what quickly became her passion. She soon surpassed her brother, who probably wasn’t too thrilled at the time.
Natalie du Toit athlete in wheelchair
Natalie du Toit athlete in wheelchair
Para-athlete mid race
Despite being extremely shy and timid—she would have her hand held at galas and even at competitions, right until the gun went off—du Toit was dedicated to achieving her dreams. Even when nervous and anxious, du Toit always enjoyed working hard and striving toward her goals.
Her successful career was put on hold when one morning, on her way to school, du Toit was struck by a truck driver and sent flying across the pavement along with her scooter. She was seventeen years old and in her final year of college. The accident resulted in the amputation of one of her legs, and for a while, du Toit’s future in the water seemed bleak. Soon, du Toit—still in bandages—was back in school. Though she slept through a lot of her classes, she was determined to stay afloat amidst life’s turbulence and was back in action in no time. Just three months after her accident, “Noodle,” as she is fondly called by some, was back in the water.
However, du Toit’s comeback after her incident was not smooth sailing. She experienced some challenges getting back to what had become her life. “When I started swimming breaststroke, I actually swam very askew, and I swam into someone, and they cut their eye open and had to have stitches… these were big lessons, and I was very fortunate that my coach was there to help me,” du Toit admits.
London 2012 Paralympic Games
With tenacity and perseverance, du Toit put in every effort and qualified for several events in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Athens. She competed in the 800 m nondisabled event and placed eighth, making the finals. This achievement served as a stepping stone and morale booster for du Toit, reassuring her that she was still capable of competing with nondisabled competitors, even at the international level.
At the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, du Toit earned her first gold medal in the 100 m butterfly event, marking a new stage in her Paralympic career. Her success continued at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, where she won an impressive total of five gold medals. Du Toit dominated the competition in various swimming events, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination.
Decorated and celebrated, du Toit exited the world stage, knowing she had given her all to the sport. “I walk away from the sport being able to say that for twelve years, I was the top in 100 m butterfly, 100 m backstroke, 100 m breaststroke, 200 m individual, 400 m freestyle, 800 m freestyle, 1500 m freestyle, 5 km, 10 km, and I kinda walked away from the sport knowing that I couldn’t give more,” she says.
Swimmer training in pool
At the end of her impressive career, du Toit earned thirteen Paralympic medals—ten gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal—earned across multiple events. Her success in nondisabled competitions further solidified her legacy as one of the most decorated swimmers in history.
Du Toit attributes her victories to those around her, including her mother, coach, manager, team, and all others who made her successful career world-class.
Her victories are a testament to the remarkable guidance and encouragement she received from those around her and her sheer talent and determination. Her story inspires athletes and non-athletes around the world.
Open water swim competition
Achievements:
- 50 m S9 freestyle swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2008)
- 400 m S9 freestyle swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2008)
- 200 m SM9 individual medley swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2008)
- 100 m S9 freestyle swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2008)
- 100 m S9 butterfly swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2008)
- 100 m freestyle swimming EAD (multi-disability) gold – Commonwealth Games (2006)
- 50 m freestyle swimming EAD (multi-disability) gold – Commonwealth Games (2006)
- 100 m S9 backstroke swimming silver medal – Paralympics (2004)
- 100 m S9 butterfly swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2004)
- 100 m S9 freestyle swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2004)
- 200 m SM9 individual medley swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2004)
- 400 m S9 freestyle swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2004)
- 50 m S9 freestyle swimming gold medal – Paralympics (2004)
- 800 m freestyle swimming gold medal – All-Africa Games (2003)
- 800 m freestyle swimming silver medal – Afro-Asian Games (2003)
- 400 m freestyle swimming bronze medal – Afro-Asian Games (2003)”
TrooRa Magazine
Words
Jesse Aduma
Plateau State, Nigeria
