Rebecca Williams: SOUTH African swimmer Natalie du Toit didn't win a medal in the women's open water 10km race at Shunyi. She didn't need to.
The 24-year-old's journey to the start line in Beijing has been an achievement worthy of any Olympic medal. Du Toit yesterday made history as the first amputee to compete at the Olympic Games, finishing 16th in a field of 25.
Du Toit lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001, a year after narrowly failing to qualify for the Sydney Games. Her leg was amputated at the knee after it began to turn gangrenous.
Such was the immense interest in Du Toit's story, she was mobbed by reporters from all around the world after the race.
The five-time Athens Paralympic champion, who gives motivational speeches for a living, admitted she was overcome by emotion before the race and was almost choking up as she later spoke about her journey.
"For me to come to the Olympics Games has been a dream come true," du Toit said.
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clipped from www.foxsports.com.au
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