South African swimmer Natalie du Toit has been awarded the honor of the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the British High Commission for her work with the Paralympic movement.
“Her Majesty The Queen has announced that South African Olympic and Paralympic medal-winning swimmer Natalie du Toit has been awarded an honorary MBE for her services to Paralympic sport,” the commission said upon awarding of the honor to the retired swimmer: one of the few athletes to ever compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics. “Natalie has achieved great success in her sport, demonstrating an ability to compete with the best in both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines at numerous international sporting events.”
Du Toit first made her international breakthrough at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, were at just 14 years old she represented her native South Africa at the games. Her story became even more incredible after that though: in February of 2001, while riding a scooter after swim practice, she was struck by a car and her left leg was amputated at the knee.
She immediately went to work, though, and a stunning 16 months later, she was swimming at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where she won and broke world records in the 50 and 100 free multi-disability races, while also swimming in the non-disability 800 free.
Hers is a level of crossover success seen only very rarely in para-sports history. She would go on to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 10km open water swim, making her one of only two Paralympians to compete at those games (the other was a table tennis player).
Her medal record is incredible. She’s a 13-time Paralympic gold medalist, a 2003 All-Africa Games champion in the 800 free, and a 7-time Commonwealth Games champion in multi-disability events. She also took 4th at the Open Water World Championships.
Her path straddles the line between para-athlete and able-bodied athlete so seamlessly that it’s almost impossible to keep track of what she did where. That’s what makes her such a unique story: her ability to blur the lines between the two groups, and to truly not be held back by the loss of her leg.
Du Toit retired after the 2012 Paralympic Games.
This award is given on behalf of the monarchy of England, Du Toit will be formally presented with the award at a Pretoria ceremony in October, with His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex (also known as Prince Edward, who is 8th in line to succeed to the throne of England).