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 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.
huge inspirational next walking
I think it was a huge inspiration. The next morning, we were all walking tall.
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.
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.
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,
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 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.
needed people shocked
We needed Athens. People see us and say well done on Athens, well done on Montreal. We shocked the world, shocked everyone.
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.
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.
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.
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.