Ryk Neethling
After almost drowning at a neighbour’s house, Ryk started taking water safety lessons at the age of 6. He took to the water like a true natural and realised that swimming was in his blood.
Ryk grew up in a very close-knit family with his parents, Ryk and San-Marie and two sisters, Elsje and Jean-Marie. His sister Elsje, was diagnosed with brain tumours when she was only twelve and she endured three brain surgeries before recovering fully. Throughout her treatment, she continued swimming, never giving up her hope, determination or passion even as she was fighting for her life. Her unfailing optimism and commitment are what inspired Ryk to give his best at all times.
Growing up in Bloemfontein, Ryk went to school at Grey College before attending the University of Arizona. He swam for the University of Arizona and represented South Africa in the last three Olympic Games which culminated in a Gold Medal and a World Record performance at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He represented South Africa and medalled in three Commonwealth Games, the most in South African history, to date.
Currently Ryk resides in South Africa where he has founded Sports Academies: a development programme which encourages and nurtures the talent of tomorrow’s stars. He derives his inspiration from the children in his academies as well as South African people who, from all walks of life, have shown him incredible support. Thanks to SwimSeal™, Ryk can continue pursuing his passion: to spend more time in the water.
Awards
Collegiate Career:
- Nine time National Collegiate Athletic Association (Indianapolis, IN, USA)(NCAA) Title Winner (second most in history)
- NCAA Swimmer of the Year, 1999
- Four time Pacific-10 Conference Swimmer of the Year
- Voted University of Arizona Athlete of the Year (four consecutive years)
- Voted University of Arizona Athlete of the Century
- University of Arizona Athletics Sapphire Award Winner, 2000
- Two-Time US Open Record Holder
- One-Time US National Champion
International Career:
- Athens Olympics 2004 Gold Medallist
- 4x100m freestyle World Record Holder (3:13.17)
- 100 Individual Medley World Record Holder (52.01)
- Five time Olympic Finalist
- Three time World Championship Finalist
- African & South African Record Holder in 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle; 100m IM; 100m Butterfly
- Goodwill Games Gold Medallist (New York, 1998)
- Three time Commonwealth Games Medallist
- Won 22 South African national swimming titles
- Represented South Africa in 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games
- Represented South Africa in three World Championships
- Represented South Africa in three Commonwealth Games (most in South African history)
- Represented South Africa in international competition, since 1993
- Held over twenty junior national records