Foundation to fuel a dream

Dubai: The newly established NGO ‘Cameron van der Burgh Foundation’ will fulfil a dream for the South African and leave behind a legacy for bearer of the name.

Last month, van der Burgh set up the foundation, keeping one eye on the successful defence of his 100m breaststroke title in four years’ time in Rio de Janeiro.

The new initiative will give underprivileged youngsters the chance to experience the joy of swimming.

The swimming champion feels the need to have a pool of talent that can make a bigger and better statement in international swimming for his country in the future

“Defending my title would mean a lot to me as no South African has ever done it before. I was the first South African male to win an Olympic gold individual medal. I’ve done a lot of firsts for South Africa and that would be the next one,” van der Burgh said. “We are going to into rural areas to teach the kids how to swim and get them involved. We will give them a cap and they will go home and tell their mums that they want to get into the pool and swim,” he added.

“When I retire I don’t want to leave a memory of one or two Olympic gold medals, but leave behind a swimming legacy for South Africa.”