The local newspaper is Afrikaans. Neethling swem in goue medaljes literally translates to: Neethling is swimming in gold medals. Ryk Neethling (www.rykneethling.com) has become one of the biggest male celebrities in the country after spending years struggling to make it as a swimmer. He spesialised, in the beginning of his swimming career, in the 1500m. This meant mammoth swim workouts and incredibly hard work in the pool every day.
Ryk's big break came at the Olympics last year where the South African team broke the world record in the relay, beating the US team (with Phelps) and the Australians (with Thorpe) to get gold. Ryk has since gone on to be the top swimmer at the World Short Course Champs, not only in freestyle, but (see above) also in Butterfly.
He continues to be a dominant force in swimming, and is picking up endorsements and sponsorships...the latest for a men's deodorant. Earlier this year he was on the cover of Men's Health.
The local newspaper (Die Volksblad - The Citizen's Paper - love to write about him because he went to school in Bloemfontein and swam for the local swimming club.
His family still lives in Bloemfontein, and he sometimes comes here to 'get away' from it all. I've seen him at a local Virgin Active gym in the past, and I imagine, after these championships in Durban, he might be back in Bloem for some R&R.
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