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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
guys
It was close. There were some butterflies but the guys swam really well.