Ryk Neethling
Ryk Neethling
Ryk Neethling OISis a South African swimmer. He won an Olympic gold medal in the 4×100 m freestyle relay at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He is the former joint owner of the 4×100 m freestyle relay world record and holds several South African records. He also is the first South African to compete four successive Olympic Games. He is currently betrothed to Miss Universe Canada 2012 Winner and Actress Sahar Biniaz...
ProfessionSwimmer
Date of Birth17 November 1977
rivalry talking
What makes it important is the kind of rivalry we've been talking about with Australia, with England, with New Zealand, with Canada.
achieving capable definitely feelings good night opening record relay similar start target
We are all friends and we have the similar feelings we had in Athens, so a world record is definitely our target and we are capable of achieving it. The relay on the opening night will be a good start for us.
african juggle proud south sponsor surprised training trying
I was very happy, ... My training hadn't been consistent, as I'd been trying to juggle sponsor requirements and swimming. I was surprised with my times, and couldn't be more proud of the South African team.
confidence flesh hard knows lots maybe seen talented top
I think she's got confidence now she's seen her own flesh and blood, who's maybe not the most talented swimmer, get to the top through lots of hard work, so she knows it can be done.
chance cricket gave given
I said to her to look at the cricket players. They weren't given a chance but they gave it a go.
huge inspirational next walking
I think it was a huge inspiration. The next morning, we were all walking tall.
couple huge last tall village walking
It's been a huge inspiration for us and we've been walking tall around the athletes' village over the last couple of days.
bad felt games good meet month tough win
It's been a tough month with the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. I had a bad meet so this win felt very good after that.
african faster swimming
I'm doing it the African way and I'm swimming faster than I ever did in my life.
invited months mornings stiff train warm
I've invited young swimmers to train with me, to see what it takes, ... They see us warm up, see us perform. But they don't see the months and months of training, the mornings when you're so stiff you can't even get out of bed. I want them to see that.
believed coaches gone helped people perception relay spirit studies tougher won
It's tougher than people think. The perception is often that it's a vacation, but the studies are hard, and you still have to swim, ... It's not for everyone, but it was right for me and Roland. We wouldn't have won the relay if we hadn't gone overseas. I don't think coaches here would have believed we could do it, but the US can-do spirit helped us.
guys small
It's amazing. Such a small country, and to have two guys on the podium is great.
african athens beginning break changed expected few happened relay south surprise win won
What happened when we won that relay in Athens was the beginning of something great. We were a surprise package. No one expected us to win or to break the world record. I think it changed a few things in South African swimming.
athletes great past pushed rivalry
And the rivalry has pushed us on to new heights, ... Great athletes in the past have always been part of a great rivalry.