A defining moment in the lives of these four men. The South African squad of Roland Schoeman (split 48:38), Lyndon Ferns (48:34), Darian Townsend (49:13) and Ryk Neethling(47:99) - clocked 3 minutes and 13.17 seconds to triumph over the Netherlands (2nd) and the US team (3rd).

Born in Pretoria on 7th March 1980, Roland first took an interest in the sport when he was 13 and began to compete three years later. He matriculated at the Willow Ridge School, where he swam under coach Gavin Ross, and then won a scholarship to the University of Arizona. Before moving overseas Roland competed at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, where he finished 6th in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events.  

In the 2000 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in Minnesota, Arizona sophomore Roland Schoeman tied the world record in the 50-meter (short-course) freestyle. Schoeman's preliminary time of 21.31 matched Mark Foster's (Great Britain) 1998 mark.

This marked the beginning of a career that would span 4 Olympic Games from Sydney 2000 - to London 2012.

At the Athens Games, he won gold in the relay, silver in the 100m freestyle, and bronze in the 50m freestyle. He also won three gold, a silver, and a bronze FINA World Championship medals, as well as four gold, three silvers, and three bronzes at the Commonwealth Games. He set new South African records in the 100 m Freestyle (48.69 s), 50 m Freestyle (22.04 s), 100 m Butterfly (52.73 s) and 50 m Butterfly (23.65 s) events.

He won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens in the 4 × 100 m freestyle, a silver medal in the 100 m freestyle event, and a bronze in the 50 m freestyle. Three of the Men's 100-metre Freestyle team were in the team that broke the record and won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He also claimed golds in the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.

Schoeman, who is asthmatic, was voted the African Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World in 2004, 2005 and 2006; and the South African Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was elected South African Sports Star of the Year in 2004 In 2007, he received the South African Presidential Award Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, awarded for excellent achievements in the field of swimming.

At the 2005 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, Canada he won two gold medals [50 m Butterfly (in a world record time of 22.96 s) and Freestyle (21.69 s, the second fastest time in history at the time). He also claimed a silver in 100 m freestyle.

In December 2005, Schoeman turned down a 40 Million Rand (US$5.9 million) contract to swim for Qatar. He stated reasons of national pride for turning down the offer and that hearing the South African national anthem and sharing the joy of his victories with his fellow South Africans is what made winning gold special.

On 12 August 2006, Schoeman broke the short course world record for 50 metres freestyle and became the first man to swim the distance under 21 seconds, with a time of 20.98 seconds. Schoeman lowered the previous mark by 0.12 seconds held for the last two years by Frédérick Bousquet of France. Schoeman was swimming in a specially built 25-metre pool at an invitational meeting in a Hamburg tennis stadium.

At the 2007 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne Australia, he successfully defended his 50m butterfly title. He also made the final of the 50 m and 100 m freestyle and was part of the 4×100 m freestyle relay team that finished fourth. On 6 September 2008, Roland Schoeman set a new short course meters world record of 20.64 at South African Nationals. Schoeman lost his world record in late 2008 but regained his record.

At the Short Course World Record at South Africa Championships, Schoeman swam a 20.30 seconds of the 50-meter freestyle short course (25 m pool).

In the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Schoeman, aged 32, advanced to the final in the Men's 50m freestyle, clocking a 21.80 to finish .46 seconds behind the gold medal winner, Florent Manaudou. Schoeman wanted to swim at the 2016 Olympic Games but withdrew in April 2016.

In 2017 he partnered with Athletes USA to facilitate the granting of athletic scholarships to American Universities. Roland continues to swim. In June 2018 he competed in the 1 Mile Flowers Sea Swim at the Cayman Islands, finishing with a time of 24:05.

In 2007 Roland was inducted into the University of Arizona Hall of Fame:

In an incredible career at Arizona, this superb swimmer from South Africa won the 2002 NCAA Championship in the 50-meter freestyle, as well as overall runner-up finishes and multiple All-American distinctions. He won the men's 50-meter butterfly at the World Championships in 2005 and 2006. Roland's accomplishments post college are incredible. He has broken seven swimming world records and at the time of his induction, held three world records. Roland is the first person ever to record time of less than 21 seconds in the 50 meter freestyle and he is the only South African to win three medals at a single Olympic Games. Roland helped South Africa win one of the biggest upset in history-beating the United States in the 400 meter freestyle relay at the 2004 Olympics

Roland Schoeman - University of Arizona biography

SOPHOMORE (1999-2000): Set the World Record in the 50 free short-course meters during trials at the 2000 NCAA Championships with a time of 21:31... Earned seven first-team All-America honors at the 2000 NCAA Championships in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m freestyle relay, 400m freestyle relay, 200m medley relay and the 400m medley relay... Placed second in the 50m freestyle (21.22), the 100m freestyle (47.51) and the 200m medley relay (1:35.87), third in the 100m butterfly (52.14), the 200m freestyle relay (1:26.74) and the 400m freestyle relay (3:13.18) and seventh in the 400m medley relay (3:35.48)... At the 2000 Pacific-10 Championships, finished third in the 100y butterfly (48.01), third in the 100y freestyle (43.44) and fourth in the 50y freestyle (19.68).. Presently holds the Arizona school record in the 50m freestyle (21.22), the 100m freestyle (47.51) and the 100m butterfly (52.14)... A member of the four record-breaking Arizona relay teams, the 200m medley relay (1:35.87), the 400m medley relay (3:33.61), the 200m freestyle relay (1:26.86) and the 400m freestyle relay (3:13.18)... Competed in the 50m free at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia representing South Africa.

FRESHMAN (1998-99): Burst onto the collegiate swimming scene with a bang, as he earned All-America honors in six separate events, the best for a Wildcat swimmer that season... Set school records in every event that he competed (50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay)... Part of six of the nine school records that were set at the 1999 NCAA Championships, (two individual and four relay)... Finished second overall in the finals of the 100 free in a time of 42.88... Time was a school record, eclipsing Seth Pepper's 1993 mark of 43.39... Also finished third in the finals of the 50 free (19.49), setting a school record, bettering Mike McQuitty's 1993 mark of 19.67... Swam the lead-off leg of the 200 free relay that finished fourth in a time of 1:18.36... Also swam lead off for the third-place 400 free relay squad that finished with a time of 2:53.87... Swam the third leg (butterfly) for the 200 medley relay team (third-place - 1:26.52)... Final All-America nod came as he swam the third leg (butterfly) for the 400-medley relay squad that finished sixth in a time of 3:12.04... At the 1999 Pac-10 Championships finished third in the finals of the 100 free (43.56), fourth in the 50 free (19.96) and sixth in the finals of the 100 fly (48.44)... Clocked the top Arizona times of the year in the 50 free (19.49), 100 free (42.88) and 100 fly (47.65)... At the 1999 Senior Nationals in Minneapolis, Minn., Schoeman registered the fastest 50-meter free time in the world during 1999 and the fourth-fastest mark in history, with a time of 22.04... Also at nationals, clocked a time of 49.98 in the 100m free and 55.01 in the 100m fly.

YEAR-BY-YEAR (1998): At the 1998 South African Senior Nationals, finished third in the 50 free (22.04) and also claimed the bronze in the 100 free, finishing in a time of 51.61... At 1998 South African Short Course Nationals, placed second in the 50 free (22.50), 100 free (49.04) and 100 fly (54.83)... At the 1998 Commonwealth Games, placed sixth in the 50 free (23.11), sixth in the 100 free (50.30) and 10th in the 100 fly (56.72)... At the 1998 All-Africa Swimming Championships, won the title in the 50 free (23.03) and placed second in both the 100 free (52.01) and the 100 fly (57.02)...1997: At the South African Senior Nationals, placed seventh in the 50m free (24.41)... At the 1997 South African Short Course Nationals, finished first in the 100 free (50.69) and second in the 50 free (23.41)... At the 1997 Taiwan Age Group Championships finished first in the 50 free (24.00) and also claimed first place in the 100 free (53.75).

HIGH SCHOOL: Swam for Coach Gavin Ross at Willowridge High School in Pretoria, South Africa... Team captain for high school during 1997 and 1998 seasons... Set the South African long course records in the 50m free (22.04), 100m free (49.98) and the 50m fly (24.81)... Holds the African continental records (long course) in the 50m free (22.04), 100m free (49.98) and the 50m fly (24.81)... Holds the Commonwealth Games record in the 50m free, (long course) with a time of 22.04... Holds the South African and African records (short course) in the 50m free (22.50) and 100m free (49.04)... At the 1997 South African high school championships, finished first in the 50m free and placed second in the 100m free... At the 1998 state championships, placed first in the 50m free (23.65), first in the 100m free (54.41), and first in the 100m fly (59.59)... At the 1998 South African high school championships, finished first in the 50m free (23.65), first in the 100m free (55.21) and first in the 50m butterfly (25.61)... Owner of state records in the 50m free (22.04), 100m free (49.98), 50m fly (24.81) and 100m fly (55.01)... Holds the South African age group records in the 15-16 year olds (50m free, 22.50; 100m free, 53.75; and 50m fly, 26.00) and 17-18 year olds (50m free, 23.03; 100m free, 50.30; 50m fly, 25.65; and 100 fly, 56.45).

PERSONAL: Roland Mark Schoeman... Born 07/03/80 in Pretoria, South Africa... Currently pursuing a double major in psychology and communication at UA, with aspirations of becoming a sports psychologist...... Son of Geraldine and the late Roland Schoeman... Mother is an environmental psychologist, and father was a doctor... Mother is a graduate of the University of Pretoria, and father is a graduate of the University of Witwatersand... Sister competes in high school horseback riding... Participated in theatre during high school... Voted outstanding sportsman of his high school... Voted South Africa's most improved swimmer in 1997-98... Lists hobbies as all athletics, especially rugby, cricket and field hockey, as well as watching movies, traveling and camping.

Lyndon Ferns Ryk Neethling Roland Schoeman and Darian Townsend in Melbourne for the 2007 Swimming World Cup

https://mg.co.za/article/2014-08-21-the-return-of-the-awesome-foursome/ 

21 August 2014

Last Friday was the 10th anniversary of the 4x100m freestyle relay team’s win in the Athens Olympic pool, one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of South African sport. For Ryk Neethling, the day passed largely uneventfully but, at about 8 pm, finding himself alone in his Franschhoek home, memories began to flood the room.

After an hour of meditation and goosebumps, reliving that balmy Sunday night in Greece, he texted Roland Schoeman. It was at exactly this time 10 years ago that the men had stormed not only to the gold medal but also the world record, beating the Netherlands and the United States into second and third place respectively. His text said simply: “Jy’s ‘n yster nou en was een in die verlede – Ryk,” which, roughly translated, means: “You’re the man now and you were the man back then.”

It is one of the open secrets of South African sport that Neethling and Schoeman were never bosom buddies. They didn’t see eye to eye on Dirk Lange, the martinet German swimming coach and Schoeman’s mentor, and, if there was a disagreement to be had, Neethling and Schoeman would unerringly find it.

With time there has been a general softening. Neethling sought out Schoeman in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games recently and the Cold War has transformed itself into something closer to a careful truce. There are moments of unease for both parties but listening to Neethling, a man who is far more emotional than one suspects he likes to appear, suggests he’s happy just to be heard.

It says much for the two that they were able to put aside their itch all those years ago and hunt for gold. At the World Championships in Barcelona in 2003, the same South African team finished eighth in the same event. They swam then in a different order but the experience in Catalonia confirmed that the team had reached the proverbial bend in the river.

‘No more complaining’
“We were the only team other than the winners to go into a huddle after that race,” said Neethling this week. “We said after that that there was to be no more complaining. No complaining about Swimming SA, about our swimsuits, about whatever we could find to complain about. And there were to be no excuses, no excuses about anything.”

In the months preceding Athens, Neethling was kept afloat by $250 a month from four generous Tucson benefactors. He was studying at the University of Arizona and to say that there was no small change in his wallet is an understatement. His teammates were in similar positions of hardship, but they continued to train, to plot, to scheme; they would wake each other up with middle-of-the-night text messages from halfway across the world. There was a feeling of camaraderie, brotherhood and the tightening of expectation.

They were inadvertently helped three days before the final when the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee threatened to send the uppity four home. If their collective anger towards the authorities had blunted since Barcelona, it was now as sharp as ever. “We sort of said, ‘Let’s use this to fuel us’; we talked about it. That kind of mind-set isn’t sustainable, we knew that. In the short term, it powered us,” said Neethling.

When it came to the final, Schoeman swam the first leg in the fourth fastest time ever recorded. Despite Michael Phelps swimming for the USA and Pieter van den Hoogenband swimming for the Netherlands, Schoeman’s trailblazing opening set the South Africans up nicely. They led from start to finish and the victory defined their lives.

Best of all, after going their respective ways, there are signs afoot that the “Awesome Foursome” is coming back together, quietly testing the water in ways that would have been inconceivable five years ago.

Roland Schoeman Launches Comeback at SA National Championships

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/roland-schoeman-launches-comeback-at-sa-national-championships/ 

10 April 2023

Roland Schoeman is returning to elite-level international swimming, the 42-year-old sprinter taking part in the SA National Championships this week in Gqeberha, South Africa.

Schoeman has not competed at this level since 2016, when he fell short of qualifying for a fifth Olympics. He tested positive for a banned substance in 2019, and only in the fall of 2022 was his case resolved as an unintentional doping positive after adjudication by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Since, Schoeman has returned to masters meets in the United States – he remains based in Arizona, where he attended college and trained after graduation – but nationals is another step forward for the three-time Olympic gold medalist.

Schoeman was part of the legendary South African 400 free relay that won gold in Athens in 2004, the year that he added silver in the 100 free and bronze in the 50. He’s won three gold medals at the World Championships and four at the Commonwealth Games. He’s entered in the 50 free, 100 free and 50 butterfly at the meet, which serves as a qualifier for the 2023 World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

April 13th, 2024

The final day of the 2024 South African National Championships unfolded from Port Elizabeth with 19-year-old Pieter Coetze capturing a fifth gold to conclude his campaign.

After capturing golds across the 50m/100m/200m back and 100m free, Coetze concluded by taking the meet title in the 50m free. The teen touched in 22.45 followed by Clayton Jimmie who hit 22.83 as the silver medalist.

Guy Brooks rounded out the podium in 23.00 while 43-year-old Roland Schoeman finished 4th in 23.07.

On the 23rd of July 2001, at the FINA World Championships held in Fukuoka, Japan, Roland tied for third place in the 50m freestyle, winning a bronze medal. I found out yesterday that in 2001 at the World Championships in Fukuoka, I became the first South African man to win a world championship medal. Grateful to have won a few more world championship medals after that and helped pave the way for the younger crop after me.

Two Decades After First Fukuoka Worlds, Roland Schoeman Still ‘Smelling the Roses’

02 August 2023

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/two-decades-after-first-fukuoka-worlds-roland-schoeman-still-smelling-the-roses/ 

Roland Schoeman wasn’t yet 21, but his veteran coach knew an adjustment was in order.

It was 2001, and the promising South African sprinter had shifted for a summer to train with coach Mike Bottom and his fellow sprint star Anthony Ervin. Beyond the sets and the hard work in the pool, Schoeman got one piece of information from Bottom that 22 years later continues to resonate. 

“One thing that Mike said was, ‘smell the roses,’” Schoeman said. “I’d been very, very serious in my life for a huge amount of time, and that was really the first opportunity that I had to kind of enjoy the moment, enjoy the experience.”

That experience was a FINA World Championships in Fukuoka. More than two decades later, just past his 43rd birthday, Schoeman was back in Japan, still swimming, still enjoying the journey, still smelling those roses.

Schoeman was the oldest participant in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, less than a year after he decided to return to swimming. (Born in 1980, he was one of only 10 swimmers at Worlds born in that decade and three years older than the next oldest participant, 39-year-old Marc Dansou of Benin.)

Still based in Arizona, where he attended college in Tucson, and an American citizen, Schoeman felt short in his bid to qualify for a fifth Olympics in 2016. He was banned for a doping violation in July of 2019, though he’s since been exonerated of that for proof of a contaminated substance, a multiyear order that required appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Once that was resolved, Schoeman returned to Masters Swimming and found he was having fun and still moving quite well. So he got to wondering …

“By virtue of the fact that I was swimming better and better and better and going times that I hadn’t gone in a significant amount of time, it was really based on that,” he said. “We were like, why don’t I go swim trials? If I qualify, I qualify. If I don’t qualify, I don’t qualify. It was purely based on that. As we trained and got faster and faster, the idea of being able to come and be here was more and more at the forefront of my belief and what I wanted.”

Schoeman’s improvement earned him another Worlds, swimming the 50 free in Fukuoka. He was slightly quicker than his seed time, going 22.87 to tie for 50th place. It’s a far cry from his best of 21.67, set first at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and matched five years later at Worlds in Barcelona. He’s still chasing the 22.18 that got him bronze in Fukuoka 22 years ago and the 22.02 that earned bronze at the Athens Olympics. But his Fukuoka swim is more than a starting point.

He hadn’t planned on returning to elite competition when he got back into the pool, just as a way to exercise. But when the comeback became something he wanted, he drew upon his extensive network of friends for advice. Brent Hayden, who made a similar comeback to reach the Tokyo Olympics in his late 30s, is a close friend and advisor. Schoeman also picked the brain of Dara Torres, who made comebacks an art well into her 40s.

The three-time Olympic medalist and former World Record holder in the 50 butterfly has dipped into the lessons of his past. His standout memory from the Fukuoka Words in 2001 was getting silly to lighten the mood before events, coming out in a gi before one event and mugging for the cameras. He’s utilizing the same in-the-moment joy now, relishing being pushed by the competitive environment of major meets.

“Having trained on my own as long as I have, it’s difficult when you stand up and you’re doing your own thing,” Schoeman said. “You don’t have a benchmark. It’s just a different atmosphere, a different vibe, a different energy. So to be in a position once again to be able to be up on the blocks, race against others but also continue to evolve and grow and learn more about myself, it’s just this duality which is really, really cool.”

Roland Schoeman is striving for the Paris Games. He envisions training trips abroad, perhaps in Australia, to incorporate new elements to his repertoire. He’s got the Olympic A cut in the 50 (21.96 seconds) circled.

In Fukuoka, he was particularly excited about the chance to bridge the gap between South African swimming eras, including on a youthful mixed 400 free relay Saturday, even for a program whose big names on the men’s side largely stayed home this summer.

Schoeman thinks he can contribute among them, and he’s eager to see where the next year takes him.

“Today, being able to be a part of the relay, that’s really special, because I never had this opportunity with these kids on the team,” he said. “That’s a really great experience.”

He was born on 12 April 1980 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. To obtain better treatment for him, the family moved to Durban, where he swam with coach Graham Hill at Westville, where he attended the Fulton School for the Deaf.

Parkin has also been a regular competitor in the Deaflympics Games, since 1997, winning a total of 34 medals in both swimming and cycling. Thirty-one of these medals were golds. At the 2009 Games he set 7 new records.Today Terence Parkin has become an icon. He has won over 400 gold medals, 200 silver medals, and 50 bronze medals through various competitions, and continues to hold Deaf World Records.1 He has participated in 2 Olympics, 5 Deaflympics, 2 Commonwealth Games, 1 Goodwill Games, FINA World Championships, FINA Swimming World Cups, Pan Pacific Championships, Africa Games, South Africa National Championships, and 24 Midmar Miles. He had a South African stamp issued in his honor in 2001. He has also been named an ambassador of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. He has received many awards including World Deaf Sportsman of the Year (1997, 2000, 2001, 2005), CISS Sportsman of the Century (2000), SA Schools Sportsman of the Year (2002), and Gold Presidential Awards (2000, 2001, 2002).1 Additionally, in 2011 Parkin saved a 7 year old boy from drowning after he got his arm stuck in a swimming pool vent at a Johannesburg gym.In 2017 Terence was appointed to the The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, an organization that teaches essential water safety skills and how to swim, as the official Ambassador for the Deaf and Blind. Today Terence lives in Johannesburg, South Africa with his wife Ingrid, who also attended the Fulton School for the Deaf in Durban. He coaches sports at the St. Vincent School for the Deaf, where Ingrid is the Head.

Parkin out to win, prove deaf can compete

March 21, 2000

Terence Parkin will be swimming at his first Olympic Games in Sydney this year. The 20-year-old South African was born with a severe hearing disability and uses sign language to communicate with his coach. But that hasn't stopped him from getting to the Olympics, where he is hoping to make his mark. "I am going to the Olympics to represent South Africa, but it's so vitally important for me to go, to show that the deaf can do anything," Parkin says. "They can't hear, they can see everything. I would like to show the world that there's opportunities for the deaf." Parkin, who owns the African record in the 400 individual medley, won two silver medals earlier this year at the Short Course World Championships in Athens. Parkin doesn't regard himself as being disabled, and when he's with hearing people, he feels he is their equal. The South African wants to do the best he can in Sydney, and says he improves by always competing against himself. It's that attitude and the determination to succeed despite his deafness, that has got Parkin to Sydney where he'll be hoping to be rewarded with an Olympic medal.

OLYMPIC SILVER TO DEAF SOUTH AFRICAN SWIMMER

by Stan Griffin, Deaf Friends International Special Contributor

"I think it will confirm that deaf people can do things." These were the words of Terence Parkin talking about his second-place finish in the Sydney Olympics 200-meter breaststroke final on September 20. Asked about other effects of his performance, Parkin said, "Most deaf people in other countries know each other (and) ... know me. Not just athletes, it's beyond that ... (The deaf) help each other, and I hope this will help them." Parkin has been swimming since the age of 12. Working with him has been his coach and friend, Graham Hill. During his career, Parkin earned distinction as his continent's fastest swimmer in the 200-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter individual medley. (Competitors in the medley must use four different strokes, one on each of the race's four legs: butterfly; backstroke; breaststroke, and freestyle). Being deaf presents a problem at the beginning of each race when an electronic tone signals the official start. For a while, Hill would stand in Parkin's line of sight and signal him. They improved on that by using a light like a camera flash. Eventually they began using a strobe light, and this continues to work very efficiently. If there are swimmer introductions (as in most important races), Hill continues to cue him. Parkin once used hearing aids when competing, but all the crowd noise disturbed him and made him nervous. He found it hard to "focus." Now, without the aids, there is a quiet atmosphere for the swimmer. Parkin is able to concentrate without audible interference and can think about his goals for the race. In Sydney, once he touched the pool's end on his final lap, Parkin looked up at the scoreboard to verify his finishing position. He saw a "2," but at first thought this was just his lane number. Soon it became clear that he had entered "silver country." He clenched his fists, "punched the sky," and then draped South Africa's flag around his shoulders. Parkin's grin stretched from ear to ear. On the day after his medal-winning race, Parkin and Hill were guests of the South African Club at Sydney's Darling Harbor. Crowds of spectators gathered to see them. As Parkin moved around the room accepting congratulations, some of the people shook his hand while others thumped him on the back. During a live interview broadcast to South Africa, Parkin expressed the hope he could inspire athletes from smaller countries to win medals. Even in the midst of such a joyful celebration, Parkin was brought back to earth by the words of a well-meaning but thoughtless South African official to his audience: "Can you imagine without that handicap of his how great he would be?" Parkin would disagree, believing that he actually holds an advantage in the pool since he is "capable of everything but hearing." Parkin spent a sleepless night before his big race. On the night after, though, he slept well--he had his medal to keep him company! http://www.workersforjesus.com/dfi/857.htm 

Met handgebare en al spat dowe Nataller water in Britse juniors se oë

25 Augustus 1995 KAAPSTAD.

Terence Parkin moet hom op die handgebare van sy afrigter verlaat om weg te spring, maar dié struikelblok ten spyt, is dié jong Nataller wat van geboorte doof is besig om opslae te maak by die Britse nasionale junior gala in Leeds. Danksy die moderne tegnologie en elektroniese wegspringblokke (kompleet met 'n kamera wat flits wanneer die swemmers afgesit word) kan Parkin deesdae swem in enige geselskap wat hy kies.Die 15-jarige st. 7-leerling aan die Fulton skool vir Dowes in Durban, het die afgelope week Brittanje, Amerika en Ierland se top- juniors in Leeds uitgestof en spog reeds met vier goue medaljes en 'n silwermedalje, terwyl nog 'n paar wink. Maar volgens Parkin se pa, Neville wat vroeg in die jare tagtig die Rhodesiese rugbyspan op die flank verteenwoordig het) is die kamera nie altyd so betroubaar nie ``veral nie in die donderstorms in die Pietermaritzburg omgewing of wan neer die lig baie skerp is nie.'' Daarom verlaat Parkin hom veel eerder op sy afrigter, Graham Hill (self 'n gewese Springbok swemmer) wat sy protégé van die oorkant van die swembad met 'n handgebaar tot aksie beveel. Parkin spog met goue medaljes in die 100 borsslag (1:07.54), 400 wisselslag (4:37.68), 100 vryslag (54.76) en die 400 vryslag (4:08.97) en 'n tweede plek in 1:57.09 in die 200 vryslag. Vier Suid-Afrikaanse ouderdomsrekords het ook in die proses in die slag gebly, terwyl hy met sy wentyd in die 400 vryslag die Natalse ouderdomsrekord van 21 jaar van die huidige nasionale afrigter, Simon Gray, verpletter het. Hoewel hy maar drie jaar gelede begin swem het, het hy al verlede jaar by die Britse junior gala sukses begin smaak toe hy 'n goue medalje en twee silwermedaljes verower het. Vroeër vanjaar by die SA junior gala in Bloemfontein is hy as die beste swemmer aangewys en voor sy span se vertrek na Engeland het dieselfde eer hom by die nasionale wintergala in Sasolburg te beurt geval.

2009 In recent times, Parkin's focus has been on cycling, but he was back in the pool for the 2009 Dealympics in Taipei and, once again, was on the winning trail. He was unbeaten in swimming in the seven events he entered, claiming gold in the 50, 100, and 200 meters breaststroke, the 200 and 400 metres individual medley, and the 200 and 1 500 metres freestyle. On top of this, he proved he was excellent at cycling too by finishing third in the 93-kilometre road race. Parkin's cycling success shouldn't have surprised anyone. In 2006, he won gold at the World Deaf Cycling Championships in the road race and picked up silver in the mountain bike event. With Parkin leading the way, South Africa finished eighth on the 2009 Deaflympics medals table with eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals. That he managed this success at the age of 29 confirms Parkin as an exceptional athlete, and the most successful athlete in the history of the Deaflympics, much like Phelps in the Olympics.

Terence Parkin in comeback bid

February 8, 2012 

Terence Parkin, the Olympic silver medallist from Sydney 2000, has announced plans of a comeback to competitive swimming. The deaf swimmer, who turns 32 in April, has not ruled out a bid to qualify for the London Olympic Games later this year. He famously made headlines almost 12 years ago when he finished second in the men's 200 metres breaststroke. Parkin took the first major steps towards a return last month when he swam at a two-day international swimming invitational in Durban. “I started training in earnest in the middle of last year just to see what I was capable of achieving at my age,” he said. “I had been doing a lot of triathlons, cycling, and running, which I really love too. “So I have been keeping fit and once I started to swim I just felt good in the water and thought, maybe I’ll come back and try again.”

The Zimbabwe-born athlete competed in a range of events in Durban, but in his main event, came first in his heat and then ended fourth in the final with a time of two minutes, 18.62 seconds. Parkin, now based in Johannesburg where he has a family and works as a swimming coach said he was reluctant to commit to an Olympic goal, realising the high standard set for qualifying times. “I got 2:18 at that meet but the qualifying time is 2:11, so I’m not sure if I can shave seven seconds off in a few short months,” Parkin said. “But I will still continue to train and work hard to improve my times.”

South Africa’s swimming head coach Graham Hill was also pleased by what he saw and expected Parkin to do his best to try and get back to the highest level. “You can never say no to Terence that's his whole strategy, that's his whole plan. He never gives up, he never says no,” said Hill. “I have seen him and he has been working with me over the December and January period and has been as committed as ever in the pool.” As for the Olympic dream, Parkin, who swam a 2:12.50 to finish second behind Italian Domenico Fioravanti over a decade ago, is not willing to put a definitive answer forward. “I won't commit myself to a definite answer,” said Parkin. “I'm aware of how hard the competition is today and don't want to end up disappointed.”

If Parkin wants to qualify, he will have to swim inside the 2:11.74 qualifying time at the national trials to be held in Durban in April. He will then need to swim the time once more at a Fina meet in accordance with a SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) policy that requires swimmers to record an A-standard time twice in the lead-up to the Games. – Sap

Terence Parkin - The Silent Success

12 March 2000

Six years ago Terence Parkin was being lapped by the girls in his swimming team. Today he is tipped to bring back gold from this year's Sydney Olympics. It has taken thousands of hours of training, staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool and a huge amount of talent to take him to the top. But it is more than just his athletic ability that sets Terence apart. He mixes talent and courage in equal quantities. Lately Terence Parkin's life has been filled with applause. He is South Africa's latest swimming sensation and greatest prospect for this year's Olympic Games. Ranked No. 1 in the 200-metre breaststroke and 400-metre individual medley, he has consistently broken records.

But Terence hasn't heard any of the applause; he has been deaf since birth. Terence was born in Zimbabwe 19 years ago, into a world that was completely silent. But because it was the only world he knew, Terence immersed himself in it and would soon turn his isolation into an advantage. Lolette Smith, Terence's friend and favourite teacher, helped him talk to us. Terence Parkin: "I just love swimming, I enjoy it so much. I actually enjoy the feeling of getting tired from swimming." At first his parents, Neville and Bev, had no idea that there was anything wrong.

Neville Parkin: "We were both young when he was born and, being our first kid, we weren't really sure. His baby talk was normal, he laughed, he smiled - he was like a normal kid." When Terence was 18 months old Neville and Bev realised that he couldn't hear anything and doctors confirmed their worst fears. There were very few educational opportunities or a support system for deaf children in Zimbabwe and the Parkins, and the then three-year old Terence, decided to move to Durban. Here Terence found himself knee-deep in the stuff he liked best - water.

However, there was another cruel blow in store for him. A day's outing in this jeep nearly ended his life. Neville: "We were going so slow and, instead of jumping off, he just held on and his head actually rolled over into the wheel. And being a flat tyre just churned him into the wheel." True to his spirit, he was soon taking on the world again. His scar and shaved head have become a Terence Parkin trademark.

Les: "When did you notice Terence's potential?" Neville: "I took him to junior school trials. He swam there and got disqualified in the 200-metre IM (Individual Medley). He did a wrong turn. And then Dennis White, who was timing the lanes, said, 'Your boy has got talent, don't overlook him'." That turned out to be the best bit of advice the Parkin family ever got.

A month later, Graham Hill - once a South African champion swimmer himself - took Terence under his wing. Graham Hill: "I saw a kid who really wanted to get into swimming, but wasn't quite up to the standard of the other kids his age. He had more enthusiasm than the other kids. but just wasn't there. We used to laugh about it, we still do laugh about it. Terence was really slow when he came." Six years later Terence Parkin is the fastest kid on the block. King's Park Stadium in Durban is where Terence had his first swimming gala and also where he broke his first national record. It wasn't much longer before Terence was being noticed internationally. Graham: "It was our third trip to the UK and I took Terence with us. He just seemed to shine and came away with seven gold medals at the British Nationals. The coaches came up to me and said, 'This boy is tough, let's see if he can continue with the seniors'. I came back from the UK and realised we've got something here."

What makes Terence's wins all the more impressive is the environment in which he trains. Although South Africa is ranked the fourth best swimming nation in the world, international competitors can't believe that such talent can come out of these basic facilities. Graham: "Overseas they have four pools, two 25-metre, two 50-metre and indoor pools, along with hi-tech heating facilities, medical rooms, doctors, psychologists. You name it, they've got everything." These young swimmers are all talented, they are superbly fit and some are at the top of their field.

But what is it about Terence Parkin that sets him apart? Terence: "When I'm swimming in a competition and I see a person's coming up really close to me I imagine there's no one next to me. So I really work my hardest to get a good time and break a record." Les: "Do you think sometimes your silent world is an advantage?" Terence: "I can concentrate, I can focus on what I'm doing. I don't have to listen to the discussion or negative talk around me, So I'm able to focus. I don't have to worry about what other people say." Locked in concentration, Terence is an intimidating sight. Graham: "He's fully shaved - it's quite a scary look. He's well-built and over six foot, so he's a big boy. He stands there - shaved head, relaxed and focused on what he's doing." Les: "Do you think you make other swimmers nervous?"

Terence: "I can't really say what's going on with them. I look at them and they look at me and I feel nervous too. But I like to reassure them - 'Don't be too nervous about me'." Quite rightly, the competition is nervous about his awesome talent, but at last he is getting some recognition here at home. This was Terence's car. He used to drive it to his daily training sessions with his younger sister Laura. Convinced it was a death trap and that Terence would never make it to practice, Graham did something about it. And, with the help of a local sponsor, it was - out with the old... and in with the new. Laura Parkin: "My brother likes the vibration and when he feels the side of the car he can feel the vibrations and he likes the beat of the music." Laura is as athletic as her older brother. He is her unofficial coach and most ardent supporter, making sure she attends all her training sessions. However, sharing a lift with her big brother means she has to fit in with his schedule and Terence is a man with a disciplined routine. Every day after swimming he visits his friend Rory, and every day after visiting Rory he goes to the same garage - via the same route - and buys the same ice cream. Some people would call it rigid, others focused. From either perspective, it's clear that commitment is central to his nature. Graham: "I think whatever he sets his mind to do he can do. I've watched him and he's told me things. And I've stepped down and said, 'Hang on... you're going a bit fast here. You're jumping three steps instead of one", but he seems to get to that goal every time." Neville: "He's just so determined. He wants to prove to the world that the deaf can do it." In his spare time - what little there is - Terence exercises his imagination. Terence: "I really enjoy art - especially painting animals like the Big Five - and I get a lot of pleasure playing video games." There's no doubt that Terence is in a league of his own, but it takes extremely hard work. In addition to swimming 18 kilometres a day, he does between 400 to 800 sit-ups a day and then an hour in the gym, followed by some running to round off the session. Whatever the competition, Terence puts his heart and soul into it. At last month's Midmar Mile in KwaZulu-Natal, he battled for the finish line with his friend and two-time winner Gareth Fowler. Neither had trained for the race, but swam as if he was going for Olympic gold. Terence finished in the fastest time ever recorded in the history of the race. Terence: "We were racing together and I felt like saying to Gareth, 'Just stop now!', but I couldn't do that. He came past me and I realised I need to get moving because Gareth is with me. And I wanted to win, so I really had to motivate myself. I thought I was going to die but I kept on going. When we got to the shallow part I stood up and ran. And in front of me was the finish line. A short time later I collapsed... my legs were paralysed." Les: The Olympics are soon, how do you feel about them?" Terence: "We changed over to the New Year and I felt really excited because I realised 2000 means the Olympics. Some people have said 'Good luck!' ... I'm just going to do my best." Derek in studio : "People often ask how Terence hears the gun at the start of the races. Well today races are usually started with a very loud buzzer and a bright strobe light, so Terence watches for the light and off he goes."

Living Loud: Terence Parkin - Olympian

DEAF CULTUREWednesday, August 17, 2016

Terence Parkin, nicknamed the “Silent Torpedo,” has been called the Michael Phelps of the Deaflympics. He has competed for South Africa in Olympic and Deaflympic Games, World Cup and Pan American Competitions. Parkin is the Deaflympics’ most successful athlete since its inception in 1929; holding the record of the most medals - 34 in total. He has participated in 5 Deaflympics, in which he won 29 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medals, plus South Africa won the bronze when he competed in the 2005 Deaflympics in Melbourne. He also earned an Olympic Medal for the 200m breaststroke in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Terence Parkin was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on April 12, 1980. He was born deaf, but his parents, Neville and Bev didn’t realize he was deaf and it was not confirmed by doctors until he was 18 months old. His father Neville said, "We were both young when he was born and, being our first kid, we weren't really sure. His baby talk was normal, he laughed, he smiled - he was like a normal kid." There was a lack of educational options and support system for deaf children in Zimbabwe at that time, so the Parkins decided to move to Durban, South Africa when Terence was three years old. Another literal bump in the road for Parkin occurred when he was in a car accent as a child. He preserved and his scar and shaved head became one of his trademarks in swimming competitions. Parkin at the pool Parkin at the pool. (Photo Credit: Terence Parkin / Son Koerant Twitter) He loved water and began swimming at age 12. He said, "I just love swimming, I enjoy it so much. I actually enjoy the feeling of getting tired from swimming.” But it was hard work and dedication that propelled Parkin to success. His coach, Graham Hill said, "I saw a kid who really wanted to get into swimming, but wasn't quite up to the standard of the other kids his age. He had more enthusiasm than the other kids. but just wasn't there. We used to laugh about it, we still do laugh about it. Terence was really slow when he came. It was at the Midmar Mile held in South Africa, the world’s largest open water swimming event, that he first made his mark. “Starting in the second batch of swimmers in the 13-and-under age group, behind all the seeds, he powered through the field and, when the times had been adjusted, he had taken a stunning victory. It was astounding, but Parkin has been doing astounding things all his life.”  Parkin was dedicated to training and would spend hours everyday swimming, cycling, and running. He said, “Success is 90% attitude and 10% training….with the right attitude you can do anything. The worst disability is (bad) attitude!” https://www.signingsavvy.com/blog/224/Living+Loud%3A+Terence+Parkin+-+Olympian   

Olympic Silver Medalist Terence Parkin Recognized As Global Brand Ambassador For Deaf and Blind 20 October, 2017 Parkin has recently been honored by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation as Global Brand Ambassador for the Deaf and Blind. Parkin has used his role as an ambassador to travel across the world giving talks on various issues such as water safety and teaching children how to swim. Parkin recently represented the Foundation at the 2017 Deaflympics in Turkey and met with Deaflympic officials. He has also been invited to speak on behalf of the Foundation in a number of countries including Pakistan, Russia, Australia, China and the Philippines. Princess Charlene of Monaco was a swimmer on the South African National Team with Parkin when she was known as Charlene Wittstock. “Terence is an incredible athlete who has shown dedication and passion for his sport, and has never let any obstacles stand in his way on his path to achieve great things. We welcome him to the Foundation, where we know that he will continue to do excellent work,” Her Serene Highness said.

Terence Parkin is raising funds for Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

February 2018

Renowned athlete and Olympic Medalist Terence Parkin is taking on an incredible test of stamina and strength in an effort to raise money for the Deaf Children's Learn to Swim and Water Safety Programme.  Parkin himself was born deaf and overcame his personal challenges to become the most celebrated Deaflympic athlete in the world and a silver medal winner in the 2000 Summer Olympics. His natural talents as a swimmer and his passionate advocacy for young deaf athletes led to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation recently naming him as one of their Ambassadors. He travels across the world giving talks on issues around water safety, preventing drowning fatalities and coaching children on how to swim.  Parkin intends to do a 5 day, 723km mountain bike cycle tour from Johannesburg to Midmar, where he will do a 13km swim. He will then do a 33km run and end off with a 124km, 3 day Dusi canoe marathon. It’s an enormous challenge to his ability as an athlete but he feels up for the test, in the name of a worthy cause. “I want to help children in SA to reach their full potential and grow into healthy adults,” Parkin says of his cause. “Swimming has been an incredible positive influence in my life and I want children with hearing difficulties and other challenges to experience something similar. Who knows, there may be more Olympic medalists out there in SA that we can reach through this initiative!”

Terence Parkin, princesse Charlene, prince Albert and Gareth Wittstock

TERENCE PARKIN – SILENT TORPEDO

Terence Parkin, a deaf swimmer from South Africa, was born on April 12, 1980, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Over a 15-year sporting career, he competed internationally and professionally for 11 years. Terence’s accomplishments include winning a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics and becoming the most successful sportsman in the history of the Deaflympics since its inception in 1929, with an impressive collection of 29 gold medals, along with one silver and one bronze medal in cycling across 4 Deaflympic Games. He holds an astounding 50 Deaf World Records in both long and short course swimming, earning him the nicknames ‘Silent Torpedo’ and the Michael Phelps of the Deaflympics.

Taking a break from swimming, Terence ventured into triathlons and cycling, winning the World Deaf Cycling Championships’ 120km road race in California in 2005. Locally, he has participated in major events like the Dusi Canoe Marathon, Sani2C, Amashovashova, and the 94.7 Cycle Challenge.

Terence’s accolades include multiple awards such as World Deaf Sportsman of the Year (1997, 2000, 2001, 2005), CISS Sportsman of the Century (2000), SA Schools Sportsman of the Year (2002), and Gold Presidential Awards (2000, 2001, 2002).

His remarkable success is a result of unwavering dedication to training, and spending countless hours in the water or on his bike daily. Terence’s relentless pursuit of excellence has set a benchmark for deaf sports globally, inspiring fellow athletes like Roland Schoeman, who marvel at his intense training regimen. In a notable act of heroism, Parkin rescued a young boy from drowning in 2011.

https://pcmfsa.com/team/terence-parkin/ 

Born on 14 February 1976 in Pietermaritzburg, he attended Maritzburg College and swam with coach Wayne Riddin at the Seals SC. He won an international championship gold medal in the 50 m freestyle at the 1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Nicknamed Skinny Man, he competed in two consecutive Olympics, starting in 1996, when he was a finalist in the 50 m freestyle.

He attended Florida State University 1996-99 and graduated from FSU as the most decorated and accomplished swimmer in Seminole history, and completed his degree in engineering from FSU in 1999 while maintaining a dean's list status. In 1999, he became the first Seminole to win two national championships after taking the 100-yard breaststroke title.

His first title came in 1998 with the 50-freestyle. Dedekind also holds the school record for most individual All-America honours with eight and relay accolades with eight. In total, Dedekind won 10 ACC championships, including the 50-free all four years.

28 Aug 1999: Brendon Dedekind of South Africa is congratulated by Gary Hall Junior of the USA after winning the gold medal in the 50 metres freestyle during day seven of the Pan Pacific  Swimming Championships at the Aquatic Centre, Homebush, Sydney, Australia. Mandatory Credit: Adam Pretty/ALLSPORT.

2004 Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee: Brendon Dedekind

Jan. 25, 2005

Brendon Dedekind knew coming to the states from South Africa would be challenging, but he was ready to pursue his dreams of contributing to a university for four years and hopefully train for the 2000 Olympics. After some intense work both mentally and physically, Brendon was able to make and immediate impact for the garnet and gold in his freshman season.

At the ACC Championship, Brendon won the 50- and 100-meter free and was on the record-setting 200-meter free relay team. He went on to be named the ACC Rookie of the Year and qualified for the NCAAs in Texas. He was just getting started. When he realized he might have a shot at the 1996 Olympics, he returned home and qualified for a spot on the South African Olympic Team. At the Olympics, Dedekind surprised his country and fellow swimmers as he qualified for the finals of the 50-meter free and finished fifth.

The next season, Dedekind made it to the NCAA Championships. He qualified for the 50- and 100-meter free and the 100-meter breast and made it his goal not only to make the finals, but also to win the event that night. Dedekind became the first swimmer in FSU history to garner All-America honors in three events in the same year with his top five finishes in three events. He also swam the fastest heat of the 50-meter free in NCAA history. The next season, the South African became only the second swimmer in FSU history to win an individual title taking first in the 50-meter free. In his senior year, Dedekind took another NCAA title but this time in the 100-meter breaststroke.

Brendon’s international accolades include gold medalist at the Goodwill Games, Pan Pacific Swimming Championship and seventh All-Africa Games. He also won many silver and bronze medals at the international meets. He completed his FSU career as the only Seminole to reach the finals of three individual events at one NCAA competition and the only FSU swimmer to ever finish in the top 10 individual scorers. The 21-time All-American completed his degree in engineering from FSU in 1999 while maintaining a dean’s list status.

https://seminoles.com/news/2005/1/25/2004-florida-state-athletics-hall-of-fame-inductee-brendon-dedekind

International Swimming Records

• Ranked Top 10 in the World for 5 years, having ranking as high as Number 1
• Gold Medallist - Goodwill Games,NY, USA 1998
• Gold Medallist - Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, Sydney, Australia 1999
• Two Time Gold Medallist - 7^thAll Africa Games, Johannesburg, RSA 1999
• Silver Medallist - Commonwealth Games, KL, Malaysia 1998
• Two-time Silver medallist - World SC Championships, Athens, Greece, 2000
• Bronze Medallist - World Student Games, Sicily, 1997
• 4^thPlace - Pan Pacific Championships, Fukuoka, 1997
• 5^thPlace - Olympic Games, Atlanta, 1996
• 6^thPlace - World Championships, Perth, January 1998

South African Records

Long Course Meters

• National Championin the 50m Freestyle (96,97,98,99,00)
• National Championin the 100m Freestyle (97,98)

Short Course Meters

• National Championin 50m Freestyle (98, 99)
• National Championin the 100 Freestyle (98, 99)
• National Championin the 50 Breaststroke (98, 99)
  • Commonwealth, South African and Africa Record Holder
• National Championin the 100 IM (98)
  • South African and Africa Record Holder
• National Championin the 50 Fly (99)

NCAA Records (1996-1999)

• National Championships
  • 1999 Champion - 100 yd. Breaststroke
  • 1998 Champion - 50 yd. Freestyle
  • Two Time Top 10 Individual Scorer
  • Twenty one time All-American
• Atlantic Coast Conference Championships
  • 13^thPerson in history to win the same event in 4 consecutive years
  • Ten time Individual Champion
  • Rookie of the year
  • Two time Swimmer of the Championships(MVP)
  • Three time Swimmer of the year
  • Three Individual and four Relay Championship Records
• Florida State University
  • Four Time School MVP
  • Only Seminoleto Final in 3 individual events at one National Competition
  • Only Seminoleto ever finish in the Top 10 Individual Scorers
  • Three Individual Four relay School records
  • Four Time Golden Nole Award Winner

Personal Statistics (as of 7/15/2000)

• 50 Freestyle
  06 LCM – 5^thfastest human ever over this distance.
  21.62 SCM
  19.17 SCY
• 100 Freestyle
  50 LCM
  48.12 SCM
  42.96 SCY
• 50 Breaststroke
  1 SCM
• 100 Breaststroke
  16 SCY
• 100 Individual Medley
  41 SCM

Positions of Leadership/Honour

• South African Flag Bearer – 1997 & 1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Champs
• South African Team Captain at the 7^thAll Africa Games (600 Team members)
• South African Swimming Team Captain – Commonwealth Games 1998
• South African Swimming Team Captain – Pan Pacific Swimming Championships 1999
• South African Swimming Team Captain – World Short Course Championships 2000

Education

• Electrical Engineer - Florida State University – December 1999
• ODK (National Leadership Honor Society)

Numerous Honour Roll, Dean’s List student

Click here to see his complete college swimming record at Florida State University

Sarah Poewe in the South African swimming team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, with (not in order) Penny Heyns, Charlene Wittstock, Ryk Neethling, Terence Parkin, Brendon Dedekind, Simon Thirsk, Theo Verster, Nicholas Volker, Mandy Loots, Heleen Muller and Renate du Plessis.

Sarah won two titles at the 2000 World Short Course Championships - and the 100m breaststroke at the 2012 European Championships. She swam for South Africa at the 2000 Athens Olympic Games - and for Germany in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games.

She was born on March 3, 1983, in Cape Town, South Africa, where she attended the Deutsche Schule Kapstadt and swam with coach Karoly von Törrös.

In her early years, Poewe emerged as one of the world's most promising young swimmers. Sarah, whose mother is Jewish, began swimming at a young age when she accompanied her brother to his practices. She made her international debut at the Pan American Championships in 1997, at the age of 14. Since then, she has become South Africa's second-best breaststroker behind Penny Heyns, an Olympic champion and world record holder.

At the 1998 Junior Olympics in Moscow, Sarah was voted the Best Female Swimmer. In 1999, Poewe won her first Pan Pacific medal, a bronze, in the 200-meter breaststroke. At the Short Course World Championships she finished sixth in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:08.41) and eighth in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:28.07). Sarah finished the year ranked in the top ten in three different breaststroke events: the 50-meter (8th), 100-meter (10th), and 200-meter (3rd).

At the 2000 Short Course World Championships, Poewe finished first in the 50-meter breaststroke (30.66), and 100-meter breaststroke (1:06.21), and fifth in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:26.83).

Achievements:

In 2000: (represented South Africa) • Olympic Games (Sydney) 4th place 100m breaststroke 6th place 200m breaststroke • World Short Course (Greece) 1st place 50/ 100m breaststroke

In July 2002: Commonwealth Games :4x100 medley relay;

December 2002: European Short Course Swimming Championships (Riesa) (first time represented Germany) 1st place 100m breaststroke (meet record & German Record) 2nd place 50/ 200m breaststroke

In 2003: • European Short Course (Dublin) 1st place 50/ 100m breaststroke (German & meet records)

In 2004: • Olympic Games 5th place 100m breaststroke (German Record) 3rd place 400m Medley Relay (German and European Record) • European Short Course (Vienna) 1st place 50/100m breaststroke 3rd place 200m breaststroke

In 2005: • World Champs (Montreal) 100m breaststroke finals 3rd place 400m Medley Relay

In 2006: • European Long Course (Budapest) 2nd place 400m Medley Relay

In 2007: • European Short Course (Debrecen) 2nd place 50m breaststroke (back injury/ had to withdraw) • World Cup Short Course (Berlin) 1st place 100m breaststroke 2nd place 50m breaststroke

In 2008: • German Olympic Trials (Berlin) 1st place 100/ 200m breaststroke (100m-European Record/ German Record) • Olympic Games (China) (had to withdraw due to illness) Heading into Games, ranked 3rd in the 100 breaststroke.

In 2009: • LC World Championships (Rome) 3rd place 4x100 medley relay

In 2012: • European Championships (Debrecen) 1st place 100m breaststroke3rd place 200 breaststroke 1st place 4x100m medley relay.

South African team winning silver at the 2002 Commonwealth Games : 4x100 medley relay - Charlene Wittstock (1:02.24), Sarah Poewe (1:07.95), Mandy Loots (59.26), Helene Muller (55.51)

Sarah Poewe with former Cape Town coach Karoly von Törrös from the Vineyard Swimming Club.

At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 17-year-old Poewe competed for the South African swimming team in three events. She reached the finals in the 100-meter breaststroke and finished in fourth place (1:07.85), missing a medal by 0.30 seconds. Poewe also competed in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:25.72), finishing in sixth place, but only .37 seconds from a medal. Her 4x100-meter medley team finished in fifth place with a time of 4:05.15. In 2001, Poewe won the South African National Championships in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:08.02 (four-and-a-half seconds ahead of the second-place finisher); the time automatically qualified her for the World Championships.

She said following the race: "I am so happy with it. It's my third-best time ever. I had a good feeling this was going to be a good nationals for me." In June, at the World Meet in Barcelona, Sarah won the 50-meter breaststroke (32.10) and the 100-meter breaststroke (1:09.14), and finished third in the 200-meter (2:29.25). At the 2001 World Championships, Poewe finished fourth in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:08.52 (only 0.02 seconds from the bronze medal). She also competed in the 50-meter breaststroke, making the final and finishing seventh (32.03). She also made it to the semifinals in the 200-meter breaststroke but finished 11th overall with a time of 2:28.76.

At the 2002 Commonwealth Games, she captured the silver in the 200-meter breaststroke and 4x100-meter relay and took the bronze in the 50-meter and 100-meter breaststroke. Following the Commonwealth Games, Poewe decided to participate internationally under the flag of Germany; she has dual citizenship because her father is German.

At the 2003 World Championships, Poewe competed in the 100-meter breaststroke and finished in fourth place with a time of 1:08.06. In the 200-meter breaststroke, she reached the finals and placed sixth with a time of 2:26.72. In the 50-meter breaststroke, Sarah finished seventh with a time of 32.03.

Poewe represented Germany in the 2004 Athens Games. On August 15th she swam a 1:07.97 time, in the heats of the 100-meter breaststroke event, and qualified for the semifinals. In the semis, held later that day, she clocked in at 1:07.48, which was the second fastest qualifying time all-around. However, Sarah slowed down a bit in the final, as her 1:07.53 time saw her come in fifth. Poewe swam the second leg for Germany, as part of the 4X100-meter medley relay team in heat 1 on August 20. The Germans finished second (4:04.16) and thus qualified automatically for the finals held on August 21. Sarah swam the second leg again in the final, with a personal time of 1:07.38, as Germany won the bronze (4:00.72).

Poewe and Heyns set for showdown

 20 March 2000

Sarah Poewe, South Africa's latest world champion, goes up against her idol Penny Heyns, South Africa's Olympic champion, in two weeks time at the national swimming championships. Both women will be in action in the two breaststroke events at the championships, which start in Durban on April 1. It will be almost like a dress rehearsal for the Olympics where Heyns will defend her 100m and 200m breaststroke titles in the pool at Sydney. Poewe emerged from Heyns's shadow at the weekend, taking two titles in the breaststroke at the world short-course championships in Athens.

Poewe has beating of Heyns, says coach

September 8, 2000

Leading South African swimming coach Karoly von Toros will be flying the flags of two different nations on the pool deck when the eagerly awaited Olympic gala gets under way at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre next weekend. The Hungarian-born coach is charged with shaping the careers of two talented young southern African swimmers, both of whom will be in action at these Games. Von Toros, who was head coach of the South African swimming team for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, coaches rising breaststroke stars Sarah Poewe, of South Africa, and South African-born Swaziland national Wickus Nienaber. Nienaber, who trains with Von Toros and Poewe in Cape Town, will come up against South African contenders Terence Parkin and Brett Petersen in the 100m breaststroke event.

Poewe, 17, who has been under the wing of Von Toros ever since she started competitive swimming as a nine-year-old, goes head to head with her fellow countrywoman, double defending Olympic champion and world record holder Penny Heyns. And the coach is particularly excited about Poewe's prospects of poaching a possible medal. "If the 100m breaststroke final were taking place tomorrow, Sarah would be ready to take on the world, such is her conditioning," he enthused. "She knows she has a chance to earn a medal, even as a 17-year-old, because she is mature way beyond her years."

Von Toros said that because Poewe, at one time or another, had beaten all the top Olympic contenders in her event - including Heyns - in the lead-up to the Games, her confidence was sky high. In the recent Telstra Grand Prix in Melbourne, Poewe finished a close second to Australian Leisel Jones after recording a respectable time of 1min:08,9sec. "She was not tapering, had done no speed work and was tired from all the training, so I was very happy with her performance in Melbourne, which we used just to test where she is," explained her coach.

On the Canada-based Heyns, who won the 100m and 200m breaststroke titles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Von Toros warned that she should never be written off. "The last time we saw Penny was in Durban two months ago when Sarah beat her, so we don't know too much about how she's getting on," he said. "But she swam well in the recent Canadian Olympic trials, and knowing her, there is little doubt that she will be coming into her best form now." Personally, Von Toros said, he would love to see both South Africans on the podium - but he would not say in which order.  

Poewe shines in Germany

May 28, 2002

Cape Town Sarah Poewe made her debut for the German Swimming Club, SG Wuppertal by winning gold in the 100m breaststroke during the country's national gala in Warendorf over the past few days. The whole Germany is now talking about the new "swimming asset" gained from South Africa. The German website, Schwimmwelt excitedly referred to Poewe's 1:09.78 victory as being by a new swimming asset gained form South Africa by the German swimming union. Poewe, who matriculated from the Deutsche Schule in Cape Town last year, holds dual citizenship.

Apparently the Germans are trying to entice this top swimmer, one of the best breaststroke exponents in the world, to Germany. This is another reason why South Africa should look after its elite swimmers much better. The country cannot afford an exodus of swimmers of the quality of Poewe. The 19-year old South African breaststroke champion left for Germany last week to compete in that country' national gala. She has been included in the preliminary South African team for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July.

However, the carrots Germany will dangle in front of her may be equally attractive. The European Gala is due to be held in Berlin later this year. Poewe does not have her equal in breaststroke in South Africa. Three years ago she missed the podium by the proverbial hair's breadth at the Sydney Olympics when Sharks came fourth in the 100m breaststroke. The Capetonian won double gold in the world short course gala three years ago in Athens and was once again the most successful South African swimmer at this year's edition of the event, winning a medal in Moscow. On Saturday Poewe came third in the 50m breaststroke in 32.39.

Simone Weiler, who played second fiddle to Poewe in the 100m won the battle over the shorter distance in 31.89. Janne Schafer came second in 32.17. Germany's swimming darling Franziska van Almsick celebrated her return to swimming by setting the fastest time of the past three years in the 200m crawl (1:57.75). And on the other side of the globe, the probable biggest threat to Poewe at the Commonwealth Games, Australia's Leisel Jones won the 100m breaststroke in that country's Grand Prix Gala in a convincing time of 1:09.72.  

South Africa’s Sarah Poewe in Auto Accident; May Knock Her Out of Commonwealth Games

CAPE TOWN, July 16, 2002

OLYMPIC swimmer Sarah Poewe has been admitted to a Cape Town hospital after a car accident last Saturday, in which she apparently crashed her car into a tree. It is believed that Poewe injured an elbow in the accident and her condition is not serious, but it cast some doubt over her participation at the Commonwealth Games in two weeks. Poewe, who matriculated from the Deutsche Schule in Cape Town last year and holds dual citizenship, had planned to represent South Africa for the last time at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester before moving to Germany, where she has already made her racing debut for the Swimming Club SG Wuppertal at the Nationals in Warendorf, winning the 100 breast.

Sarah Poewe with the South African women's medley relay team at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. They won silver in the 4x100 medley relay - with Charlene Wittstock, Heleen Muller and Mandy loots

UGA swimmer Poewe sets German records

December 20, 2002  

University of Georgia freshman women's swimmer Sarah Poewe set three German records at the European Short Course Championships in Riesa, Germany, on Dec. 12-15.  Poewe, who has dual citizenship in Germany and South Africa, teamed with Janine Pietsch, Nele Hofmann and Antje Buschschulte to finish second in the 200-meter medley relay (1:49.25).  Poewe finished second to Sweden's Emma Igelstrom in the 50-meter breast. Igelstrom, the world record holder in the event, edged Poewe (30.89 to 30.90).  Poewe also set a course record with her first-place finish in the 100-meter breast (1:06.67). The mark broke the previous record of 1:06.95 set by Poland's Alicja Peczak on Dec. 17, 2000.

GEORGIA SWIMMER SARAH POEWE SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON THE UPCOMING OLYMPIC GAMES

Aug. 9, 2004

Sarah Poewe, a a rising junior at Georgia, will represent Germany in the upcoming Olympic Games. In her career with the Lady Bulldogs, Poewe has tallied eight All-America honors and claimed her first league title in 2004 with a 1:00.07 in the 100y breast. The 2004 competition marks Poewe's second trip to the Olympics, having finished fourth in the 100m breast and sixth in the 200m breast as a member of the South African team in Sydney.

In Athens, she'll be swimming the 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley relay.

Q: How does the experience of the Olympic Games differ from that of swimming at the collegiate level?

A: There is no comparison between college swimming and the Olympic Games. It is a whole different level of racing, especially on a mental level.

Q: How has swimming at Georgia prepared you for this experience?

A: Being part of a college team has taught me a great deal. First, being part of a team, one is appointed to race hard not only for yourself but for the whole team. Second, being part of the Georgia team is an honour as we came in second in the nation at the NCAAs. That was an experience of a lifetime. The team is hard-working and dedicated, and when the going gets tough the dogs are always at their best. That is what I love about the team : ) 

Home sweet home.

February 2nd, 2007

Sarah Poewe returns home to find that lost magic: German international Sarah Poewe has returned to her Cape Town roots as she searches for the edge that made her one of the world’s best breaststroke swimmers. She has been training in the city since last August as part of her preparations for next year’s Olympics with long-time former coach Karoly von Toros. Poewe, still only 23, says she came back to Van Toros because of their understanding. “Karoly discovered me when I was 10 and gave me the courage and support I needed.” They both claim there has been a rapid improvement in her performance already.

Britta Steffen, Annika Mehlhorn, Sarah Poewe and Daniela Samulski of Germany receive the bronze medal during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x 100m Medley Relay Fina at the 13th FINA World Championships at the Stadio del Nuoto on August 1, 2009 in Rome, Italy.

University of Georgia 

In 2005, Sarah was part of a pair of powerhouse relay teams that won national championships and helped the Georgia women's team capture the program's fourth NCAA title in seven years.

Samantha Livingstone, Sarah Poewe, Mary DeScenza, and Kara Lynn Joyce won the 200-yard medley relay, and Livingstone, Poewe, DeScenza, and Amanda Weir won the 400 medley relay. The Bulldogs swept all five relays at the NCAAs that year, something that had never been done before, and rolled to the national title.

Sarah Poewe's biography at the University of Georgia 2004-2005:

Earned All-America honors as a member of the victorious 400y medley and 200y medley relay teams at the NCAA Championships...each squad set the pool record at the Purdue facility...also earned an All-America plaque with a third-place showing in the 100y breast with a time of 1:00.19...was an Honorable Mention All-American in the 200y breast by placing 10th...Georgia's top performer in both breaststroke events at the SEC Championships...was runner-up in the 100y breast with a time of 1:00.77...also finished second in the 200y breast in 2:12.82...placed 16th in the 200y IM with a time of 2:03.85 after swimming a season-best 2:03.46 in the morning prelims...was a member of Georgia's SEC winning 200y medley relay... at the World Championships, won bronze as a member of the medley relay team and was seventh in the 100 breast...Team­ -- 1st at NCAAs, 2nd at SECs. 2003-2004: NCAA runner-up in the 100m breast with a time of 1:06.02...member of the national champion 400m medley relay which lowered NCAA, American and U.S. Open records with a time of 3:56.48...earned additional All-America honors with a fourth-place finish in the 200m breast (2:25.40) and as a member of the 200m medley relay that finished second...SEC Champion in the 100y breast with a winning time of 1:00.07... was first individual conference title...SEC runner-up in the 200y breast with a time of 2:12.36...finished sixth in the 200y IM with a personal-best time of 2:00.54...aided the relay efforts by swimming the breaststroke leg on both the SEC-winning 200y and 400y medley relays...won a bronze medal as a member of the German 400m medley relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece...finished fifth in the 100m breast at the Olympics...won the 50m and 100m breast and finished third in the 200m breast at the 2004 European Short Course Championships in Austria...Team­ -- 2nd at NCAAs, 2nd at SECs. Honored by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) by inclusion on the CSCAA Academic All-America Team.

Poewe can take on world

25th July, 2000

If South Africa's Sarah Poewe wins a medal in the women's 100 or 200-metre breaststroke event at the Sydney Olympics, she will look back to the 26th of June 2000 when she beat Penny Heyns for the first time as the turning point in her career.

For the 17-year old Poewe, beating the Olympic champion and world record holder in the final of the 100m breaststroke at a winter indoor meeting in Durban represented the crossing of a major psychological hurdle.

Poewe's coach Karoly von Toros was naturally ecstatic. "She had already beaten all the best swimmers in the world in the breaststroke, except Penny. At last she has done it. It is like a milestone for us, " said the Hungarian-born Von Toros.

Despite their developing rivalry, Poewe is full of praise for Heyns' unselfish attitude in dispensing advice and guidance.

"Penny is a great inspiration to the entire South African swimming team. She is always available to give advice and she is always prepared to share her experience with us," said Poewe.

Although Poewe is aiming to ascend the medal podium, she regards the Sydney Olympics as a stepping stone for the 2004 Games in Athens.

She said: "My career is only starting - I'm still learning. My main goal is to make a major assault at the 2004 Games. Any medal I win in Sydney would be regarded as a bonus," said the slightly-built Capetonian.

Ability

Von Toros feels Poewe has the ability to win a medal in the shorter distance in Sydney. "She's developed much faster than I expected - I didn't expect her to reach the stage of development she is presently at so quickly. I am quite confident that she will win a medal in the 100m.

"But this is only the beginning of her career. I expect her to be much better by the time the next Olympics comes around in 2004." Being named in the South African swimming team for the Olympics is in itself the realisation of a childhood ideal for Poewe.

"It's any athlete's dream to represent his or her country at the Olympic Games. What makes it even more special is that I am the youngest athlete ever to represent South Africa at the Olympics." Despite her tender age - she is 8 years younger than Heyns - Poewe won't be overawed by competing against older, more experienced swimmers.

Having started international competion at the age 14 when she competed in the Pan Pacific Games in Japan in 1997, Poewe has developed the hard edge needed to succeed at the highest level.

"Competing internationally has made me mentally tougher and has enabled me to mature much more quickly as a person.

"I'm always around people who are several years older than me. Participating in international meetings has certainly been an eye-opener for me.

"I've really learnt a lot. I love travelling and the place I've enjoyed most was Russia which has a totally different lifestyle."

At the World Youth Games in Russia two years ago, Poewe showed her class by winning won gold in the 100 and 200m breaststroke.

Award

Such was the impression she created that when she also won an award for the best female swimmer. This year she already has an impressive collection of six gold medals and two silvers from the Sheffield, Berlin and Athens legs of the World Cup series.

Poewe's mother Lorraine cannot wait to see her daughter getting under starter's orders in the impressive Sydney Olympic pool.

"Sarah has been committed for seven years. Training twice a day for almost six hours, fitness exercising, and mental stimulation have meant she has missed up to five months schooling a year. This year she is out of school altogether. The strain has been enormous on us all," said Mrs Poewe. Sarah who will complete her final two grades of school next year, doesn't care - Olympic glory comes first.

Her build-up to the games has been meticulously planned. After campaigning in Europe in July she goes to a specialised training programme before swimming in an international meeting in Melbourne at the end of August.

Then the final countdown begins when she checks into the Olympic Village in Sydney on 2 September, two weeks before the opening ceremony.

I, Sarah Poewe, am honored to be chosen as the German Swimming Patron for the European Maccabi Games. During the 20 years of my swimming career, I have followed the Maccabi Games with great interest. Prominent swimming athletes, such as Mark Spitz, Lenny Krayzelburg and Jason Lezak initially brought the Games to my attention.

In the past I had been invited to take part at the Games, but unfortunately due to my studies and training schedules I was unable to partake. Now that I have retired from professional swimming and have set up my own Personal Swim Coaching business (Poewe SwimCoaching), I have time to invest and promote my role as an Ambassador for the European Maccabi Games.
European Maccabi Games, taking place in Berlin for the first time on German soil, makes me excited and very emotional. Knowing the historical background of Berlin highlights this event.

I am so very much looking forward to supporting and working with the German Maccabi Team. Thank you once again for awarding me this honour.

Kindest Regards

Sarah Poewe

Today Sarah runs her own swim school in Germany. The four-time Olympian who started from 2002 to the end of their playing career in 2012 for the SG Bayer, who founded her own company recently. Under the name Poewe Swimcoaching the 31-year-old multiple German Champion offers special personal swim training.