One-legged swimmer fearlessly conquers Olympic waters and loses but the world is still impressed. Twenty-four-year-old Natalie du Toit lost her limb in a horrifying motorcycle accident seven years ago but this determined lady promised herself she would stop at nothing to dominate the swim competitions.

Now days after her Olympic defeat, du Toit reflects on the pressures and anxiety of swimming in an Olympic race… without her prosthetic limb. Although du Toit did not finish in the top five as she had hoped, she made some strides and inspired the world to get out there and achieve their dreams. 

Du Toit refuses to let her defeat cast her as a loser, she vows she will come back stronger and rock the next Olympic competition. 

 "I tried my best," du Toit said. "I'm not too happy with it, but I'll be back for 2012."

Du Toit was gearing up to swim in the Athens Olympics four years ago but didn’t qualify as she struggled to keep up with her two-legged contemporaries. After the Athens letdown, she was determined to train harder in preparation for Beijing’s open water race. She may not have won the race but she has certainly won the hearts of people everywhere.

OTR would like to offer Natalie a pat on the back and a celebratory pound for making it this far!