Mail & Guardian reporter Lucky Sindane speaks to Olympic swimmer Natalie du Toit about Sascoc’s poor management ahead of the Paralympics.
What’s your take on South Africa’s performance at the Beijing Games?
They did their best. I don’t think any of us came here with the idea of failing our country; each one of us stood up and tried to make our nation proud. Our young swimming team did exceptionally well by breaking Africa records — I was pleased to be in their camp.
What can be done to improve South Africa’s dismal performance?
We need to have more opportunities to compete with the best outside South Africa. We have to look at investing in athletes from a young age and scientifically look at each individual and their performance to maximise the outcome. Our educational system must change to incorporate sport in the curriculum and allow children to grow in their sport of choice. We are losing too many good swimmers to America and the rest of the world because we cannot accommodate them here in South Africa.
Coaches need to be sponsored and trained at world-class facilities. We need more facilities — if you have a look at how many 50m closed swimming pools we have in South Africa you’d be horrified — we’re expected to perform without the tools. I tried to train in Gauteng before the Olympics; there wasn’t a 50m heated pool available. Boksburg’s temperature was 19°C and in bad shape.
I strongly believe more thought should be given to our gear — we looked disjointed as a team — shabby and tired. The management team should be selected more carefully. We need people who are quick thinkers and capable of handling difficult situations with diplomacy and not constantly stressed and flustered by little issues, shooting from the hip just because they don’t know how to deal with different ideas quickly. They should be trained to consider pros and cons before lashing out, and be chosen according to their competencies, not nepotism.
Our Paralympic management is totally different, more experienced I think, and with more empathy and reasoning ability.
Why does the Paralympic team always achieve better results than the Olympic team?
I can’t speak for the rest of the team, but I think there’s less arrogance. Perhaps we — and I include myself — need to work much harder with less.
What can the Olympic team learn from our Paralympic athletes?
To be proud of who you are and try harder to be the best.
You won six medals at the Athens Paralympics. What is your goal in Beijing?
I’m competing in the 100m backstroke, so I hope to come back with five medals — in the 100m butterfly; 50m, 100m, 400m free style; and 200m individual medley.
How has taking part in the Olympic Games helped you prepare for the Paralympics?
They made me emotionally stronger — in some ways the Olympic experience made my dreams come true, but also some nightmares. I had to collect my thoughts about achievements and disappointments; with hindsight it was the most difficult month of my life.
How prepared are you for the Games?
I’ve done my best, but it’s not easy to change training from long distance to sprints. I’m a long-distance swimmer, but since the end of the Olympics I’ve been concentrating on short-distance sprints.