Natalie Du Toit Poised for Last Final

London 2012: Du Toit Poised for Last Final

Natalie du Toit has a little over a minute remaining of her Swimming career after qualifying for tonight's women's 100m Freestyle - S9 final.

(PRWEB) September 07, 2012

Natalie du Toit has a little over a minute remaining of her Swimming career after qualifying for tonight'swomen's 100m Freestyle - S9 final.

Du Toit has been a pioneer in her sport but will bring down the curtain on a career which has seen her win 13 Paralympic titles over three Games.

Du Toit has been the most high-profile face ofParalympic Swimming for 10 years.

She also competed in the open water at the Beijing 2008 Olympics as well as reaching the 800m Freestyle final at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Tonight she will bow out in what is bound to be an emotional moment at the Aquatics Centre, having qualified fastest in 1:02.95 as she seeks her third successive title in the event.

Du Toit said: 'I'm excited because it's been a long week, a long 10 days. I'm a bit sad too, but the next couple of months I'll be busy with sponsors and those people that have really helped me along the way.

'They are really the ones who have kept me going, otherwise I think I would have gone out of the sport long ago.

'I think I should be able to suppress it, but there is a bit of sadness. It's been many years of my life, it has taught me a lot of lessons. Travelling the world has been an eye-opener. It's always going to be sad leaving the sport.'

Matthew Cowdrey will be making his final appearance of the Games tonight when he competes in the men's 100m Freestyle - S9.

The Australian already has 20 medals over three Paralympic Games but he intends to carry on.

He said: 'There are so many options for me both outside and inside the sport, so whatever I decide I'm sure I will be happy. I am definitely leaning towards Glasgow (2014 Commonwealth Games) and Rio (2016 Paralympic Games), we'll see after that.

'As long as I'm still improving, enjoying it and having fun, which I definitely am at the moment, I'll still be there [in Rio].'

He added: 'I'll be out there tonight swimming as close as I can to the world record (55.30, which he holds). I think I can definitely swim faster [than in the heat].'

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office.