Finally comes Natalie's chance to race!

Amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit

South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit will swim Women's Marathon 10km on August 20.

South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit

"I am not the first ever amputee to quality for the Olympics. There is an American gymnast George Eyser who won six medals in the 1904 Olympics with a wooden prosthesis for his left leg," said Natalie on August 17.

Car accident 2001

Talking about the car accident in 2001, Natalie looked quite calm, "It’s a freak accident. When I was riding home from a swimming practice on a motor scooter, a car drove in my leg. I didn't know what would happen. But I had a dream of be part of the Olympic Games and see how well I could do. I didn't ever think that I wouldn’t make the Olympic Games."

Four to five months after the accident, she started training, "I know I have no muscle, I have no fitness. I have nothing basically. That is why I have to build up all my fitness again."

Way to Beijing – a girl of courage, spirit and determination

"I got up at 6am every day," Natalie's training and practices take always in the morning.

"While swimming, I can be free of any prosthetic limb," said Natalie proudly. One year after the car accident, she qualified for the finals of the 800 meter freestyle at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The first time in the modern era for an amputee to race in an able-bodied international swimming competition!

"It is important to swim your own race and not someone else's."

Natalie bagged five golds and two silvers at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. It is the spirit of "swim your own race" that let her keep focusing on swimming itself, leaving alone the weakness of her and "winning" itself.

In May 2008 she got her ticket to the women's 10 kilometer marathon of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by finishing fourth at the World Open Water Swimming Championships in Seville, Spain.

Beijing – Dreams come true

"The standing hurt a little, but it was all worth it, I had tears in my eyes when the flame was lit. I can't describe it, I'm so glad I was part of that. 4 years of hard work and my dream has come true!!" she wrote in her blog.

On the opening ceremony Natalie strode ahead of the South Africa squad, carrying the South Africa flag.

Natalie must be well prepared. She arrived in Beijing as early as August 7. In the past ten days, she swam in Water Cube every morning.

"Actually at this stage all training has been done. These days I swim to get relaxed. Nothing hard," shrugged Natalie.

Though unsteady, Natalie walked quite confidently. She declined with thanks all help while she was walking.

"I haven't been anywhere outside of South Africa other than swimming,"

"Beijing is an amazing city. After all competitions, I will go to the Great Wall, Forbidden City and see pandas."

Beibei and Huanhuan

“I like Beibei and Huanhuan most. Beibei symbolizes swimming and water. Red is lucky color in South Africa. So I bought Huanhuan also. I hope they can bring me good luck!” Natalie bought two Fuwa in the Business and Culture Avenue, International Zone.