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
cricket herself huge impact morning next sister team unsure walking win younger
The win had a huge impact on us. The next morning we were all walking tall. My little sister is on the team and a little unsure of herself here, as are some of the younger swimmers. I told her that she should look at what the cricket team did. Anything is possible, you don't know what you can do or what can happen.
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.
bed believe food heat people
Roland's probably been in Heat more than me, ... I can't believe that people actually want to know what bed linen I buy, or what food eat.
celebrity highly quite since special tends
There's nothing special about Phelps as a person, he's just like any other guy, ... He's been a celebrity since he was 16, been pampered, and he tends to think quite highly of himself.
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.
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.
regret returning
The only thing I regret is not returning earlier.
built huge swimming thorpe versus
Thorpe will be back, which is good. Swimming is huge in Australia, and me and Roland versus Thorpe is already being built up,
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.
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.
guys
It was close. There were some butterflies but the guys swam really well.
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.