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
african faster swimming
I'm doing it the African way and I'm swimming faster than I ever did in my life.
athens faster happy medals might people since top
Athens was not the end, but the beginning, ... Some people might have been happy (with the medals in Athens), but not me. Since then we've been going faster and faster, and now we're on top of the world.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
catch knew
That's how he swims. He comes from behind. I knew I had to go out with Roland, but I couldn't catch him at the end.
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.
dream dreamt games older three took true
It's a dream come true for me for her to be here with me. I'm 13 years older than her. When I took part in my first Commonwealth Games she was three year's old. I've dreamt about this day for a long time.