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South African amputee swimmer Natalie Du Toit (C) attends a press conference after winning the Women's 100m Butterfly competition at the Beijing Paralympics Sept. 7, 2008. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Yan) Photo Gallery>>> |
BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- South African amputee swimmer Natalie Du Toit said her time in Beijing is "amazing."
Du Toit has stayed in Beijing for two months to
participate in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
On Monday night, Du Toit bagged her second gold after
winning the Women's 100m Freestyle competition at the Beijing Paralympics. The
24-year-old, who lost her left leg above the knee in a motorcycle crash in 2001,
finished 16th among 25 competitors in the 20-kilometer open-water swim at the
Beijing Olympics.
Du Toit won a title in the 2003 All-Africa Games when
competing with able-bodied swimmers. But she said competing with the able-bodied
swimmers, though incredible for others, is no surprise for herself.
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South African amputee swimmer Natalie Du Toit (C) attends a press conference after winning the Women's 100m Butterfly competition at the Beijing Paralympics Sept. 7, 2008. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Yan) Photo Gallery>>> |
"I have been competing with able-bodied swimmers all
my life," Du Toit told an earlier press conference on Sunday.
But competing in the Paralympics, World Championship
and Paralympic World Cup is also important as it will make sure she
will have races every year.
Du Toit also noted that both games are of
great importance to her. "To enter the Olympics was my greatest dream; the
Paralympic Games was just a bigger goal," Du Toit explained.
Du Toit, who won five golds and a silver at the
Athens Paralympics, will try for five golds at the Beijing
Paralympics.