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Friday, 2 August, 2002, 13:38 GMT 14:38 UK
Du Toit clinches double gold
Natalie du Toit missed out on her own world record by one-tenth-of-a-second as she won her second gold medal of the Commonwealth Games.
The South African, who lost her leg in a road traffic accident last year, had already won the 50m multi-disability freestyle.
And the 18-year-old added to that title with victory in the 100m multi-disability freestyle.
Her final time was just short of the world record she set in the semi-finals.
Du Toit made Games history in the pool later on Friday night when she competed in her third final of the meet.
Remarkably, however, the teenager was competing alongside able-bodied athletes in the 800m freestyle.
She is the only disabled athlete ever to have reached an able-bodied final in the history of the Games.
But she had to make do with eighth place in the final and was quick to play down her achievements.
She said: "I've had lots of people phoning me up, saying how much they admire me. I don't see myself as a role model, just a normal person.
"But, if I can show what a disabled person can achieve, I am happy to do so.
"I always imagine myself to be the same person as before the accident.
"I would love to have my leg back, but you have to get used to it not being there. I had it for 17 years of my life, but I have to get on with it."
31 Jul 02 | Swimming
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