Disabled swimmer Natalie du Toit will carry the flag for the South African team at Wednesday’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, team officials said on Tuesday.
Du Toit made history at the 2002 Manchester Games when she competed in the final of the 800m freestyle, becoming the first athlete with a disability to qualify for an able-bodied final in a major competition.
Du Toit took the place of 800m runner Mbulaeni Mulaudzi after he spiked his right foot during the final of the World Indoors event in Moscow and returned to Johannesburg for medical advice.
Mulaudzi has not been ruled out of the Games but will not be in Melbourne before Wednesday’s opening ceremony, team officials said.
Du Toit also won gold in the multi-disability 50m and 100m freestyle races at the Manchester Games.
She broke four world records in one day (heats and finals) in her category’s 50m and 100m freestyle.
”I chose to stay in South Africa and train and not go to America, and I think South Africa is something that will always stay in my heart,” Du Toit said at a press conference at which her appointment was announced. — Sapa-AFP