Du Toit wants to fly South Africa flag high in Abu Dhabi

Dubai: South Africa swimmer Natalie du Toit, one of the favourites for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability prize, says she is waiting to fly her national flag high during the awards night in Abu Dhabi on March 10.

Meanwhile, her male compatriots, South Africa's Rugby World Cup-winning team are in the hunt for the Laureus World Team of the Year award.

Du Toit rewrote the history books by becoming the first amputee ever to qualify for the Olympics.

She competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she placed 16th in the 10km open water swim.

The 26-year-old is one of only two athletes to have competed in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the Paralympics, she became the toast of South Africa, when she won five gold medals.

She kept up her good form in 2009 and continued her domination in both able-bodied and disabled swimming events, winning the 10km Fina women's swim in under 1hr 57mins in Dubai.

In December, she was presented with the order of ‘Ikhamanga In Gold', by South Africa President Jacob Zuma, the highest honour any South African athlete can receive.

"As a friend of Laureus I am honoured to have been nominated for this year's disability award," said Du Toit, who was nominated in the same category in 2004 and is a member of the Laureus Friends and Ambassadors programme.

"Sport in Africa gives an opportunity for the underprivileged to rise above their means and I am pleased that Fifa has recognised South Africa on behalf of Africa to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup and we hope that both the Springboks and myself will be able to fly our flag high in Abu Dhabi."

The Springboks were named the International Rugby Board Team of the Year in 2009 and coach Peter de Villiers said: "It is fantastic for the Springboks to be nominated for the second time in three years. This is due recognition to the efforts of many people, most importantly the players, who have embraced excellence and who are prepared to put their bodies on the line for their country and their fellow South Africans."

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the period January 1—December 31, 2009, are informally recognised as the Oscars of the sporting world.

Abu Dhabi, which will be the first Middle East city to host a Laureus World Sports Awards, came in for strong praise from Springbok players.