George du Rand

George was born 16 October 1982 in Bloemfontein, a pupil at St Andrews, where he was coached by Simon Gray at the Bloemfontein Seals SC. In 2002 he took up a scholarship at the University of Tennessee, although he only stayed for two years before returning to South Africa.

Back in South Africa he completed a degree in Human Movement Science at the University of the Orange Free State. George later moved to Pretoria where he swam with the Pretoria Aquatic Club, and today he coaches as part of Athletic Edge.   He was a member of South Africa's 2008 Olympic team.

He retired in 2009, and has become a swimming coach at the Pretoria Aquatic Club. He held the South African record holder for the 100 and 200 short course backstroke events, as well as the 200 m backstroke. 

2009 FINA World Cup, Moscow

On 7th November 2009 George swam to a world record in the short course meters version of the 200 Backstroke, at a FINA World cup event Men's 200m Backstroke South Africa's George Du Rand clocked a surprising world record in the long backstroke with a stunning time of 1:47.08. That effort crushed Markus Rogan's global standard of 1:47.84 set at the 2008 World Short Course Championships. The swim also smashed Du Rand's national record of 1:49.53.

NCAA Career

He swam collegiate in the United States at the University of Tennessee, but for only two years. He earned All-America honors from his 12th place finish in the 1650 freestyle at the 2002 NCAA Championships in a personal best time of 15:09.75.