In the lengthy debate about double amputee South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, you knew there would be other “special” cases.
But you probably didn’t guess it would be another South African.
Natalie Du Toit qualified for the Beijing Olympics after she finished fourth in the 10km race in the Open Water World Championships in Seville, Spain.
The 24-year-old, who lost her left leg when she was hit by a car while riding her scooter in 2001, clocked a time of two hours two minutes 7.8 seconds, just 5.1 seconds behind winner Larisa Ilchenko of Russia.
The 10km open water race is making its debut as an Olympic event in Beijing.
Du Toit almost qualified for the Sydney Olympics in three events at the age of 16 but she suffered the accident a year later. …
She missed out on qualification for the 2004 Athens Olympics, but did compete in the Paralympics the same year where she won five gold medals and a silver. …
Right now Natalie is in. But Oscar has not yet qualified.
Pistorius, who hopes to run the 400 at Beijing, must run the 400 in less than 45.55 seconds to qualify for the Olympics. His personal-best is 46.56 seconds.
South Africa names du Toit to both Olympic, Paralympic teams – ESPN
natalie du toit – official website
Gymnastics Coaching.com 