The greatest Olympian of all?

[girlyswot]

Natalie du Toit from South Africa who came 16th in the women's 10,000m open water swimming race.

With one leg.

Beat that, Michael Phelps.

Comments

[amamama.livejournal.com]

*is impressed* She'll probably be so far ahead of competition in Paralympics, it's unreal. Amazing woman.

[tdu000.livejournal.com]

That's why "the greatest olympian ever" discussion is so silly.

I liked the Somalian girl who was the only competitor from her country there and was almost 10s slower than any other 200m competitor. But just getting there was a feat. And the Australian who got silver in the cycling sprint was in a wheelchair 6 months ago with two fractured vertebrae. At that time they thought she may never be able to walk again let alone get on a bike. I love the stories that make the Olympics more than just the medal tally. I'd missed this one so thanks for posting it.

[alkari.livejournal.com]

And don't forget that kayaker from Togo - a bronze medal, and they only have four athletes in their whole team.

[jen-c-w.livejournal.com]

The Tunisians also have a really small team and yet got gold medal in the swimming. And the Dutch boy this morning came back from Leukemia to win gold in the 10K

[daksian.livejournal.com]

I love those stories. Canada has a few of them, most recently Alexandre Dispatie, who broke his foot in April and was written off but came back and took the silver in the 3m diving competition.

But yeah, I'd say nothing matches du Toit.