COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2002
Games' highest honour for Natalie
Brad Morgan
5 August 2002
South African swimmer Natalie du Toit claimed a major honour at the closing of the Commonwealth Games when she was presented with the first David Dixon award for outstanding athlete of the Games.
The 18-year-old Du Toit, who set two world records and won gold in events for elite athletes with disability, also contested the final of the 800 metres freestyle for able-bodied athletes, and was a unanimous choice ahead of Australia's Ian Thorpe, who won six gold medals and one silver, and also set a world record in the 400 metres freestyle.
"Natalie is a truly remarkable individual who deserves our full admiration", said Mike Fennel, chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation. "I am delighted that Natalie is the first recipient of the David Dixon award. Her achievements in Manchester reflect her determination in life - to overcome adversity and in the process inspire others, including her South African teammates."
When Du Toit had her left
leg amputated following a scooter accident in early 2001, she ended up encouraging tearful family members while recovering in hospital - and within a week of leaving hospital was back in the swimming pool.
All 72 competing nations and territories nominated one athlete for the award, with the winner chosen by a panel consisting of a representative of the six Commonwealth regions, Mike Fennel and Allison Dixon, the wife of the late David Dixon, who was honorary secretary of the of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
The panel's decision for Du Toit was unanimous.
Du Toit told journalists in Manchester that she believes that swimming in both disability and open races she was forming a bond. "If this can tie a bond, if it can help disabled people to believe in themselves - if it can bring them to a better understanding with able-bodied people, then that's great, if it helps."
Schoeman: fastest in the Commonwealth
Fellow swimmer Roland
Schoeman proved himself the fastest swimmer in the Commonwealth when he clinched gold in the men's 50 metres freestyle, edging out Australia's Brett Hawke by one-hundredth of a second to win in 22.33 seconds. Ryk Neethling finished just out of the medals in fourth place.
In adding a gold to the silver medal he won in the 50 metres butterfly, Schoeman enhanced his international reputation in the men's sprint swimming arena. "Swimming for me is about fun, and that's the key", he said after his victory.
There were two more medals for South African swimmers as Terence Parkin picked up silver in the men's 200 metres breaststroke, while the women's four-by-100 medley relay team - Charlene Wittstock, Sarah Poewe, Mandy Loots and Helene Muller - also finished second, edging out England but coming in behind Australia.
The Games were a successful send-off for breaststroker Poewe - two silvers and one bronze medal - who will in future compete for Germany.
Bowls
Bowls player Bobby Donnelly added a further gold medal to South Africa's haul when he defeated 2000 singles world champion Jeremy Henry of Northern Ireland 21-15. Donnelly picked up a four on the eleventh end to take a lead that he never relinquished. "For sure this was the biggest bowls day of my life", he said.
The women's pairs team of Ellen Cawker and Jill Hackland started strongly against New Zealand in the final of their competition, building up an eight-three lead. However, they struggled from that point on, eventually going down 22-12.
Wheelchair tennis, sevens rugby, wrestling
Another silver went to wheelchair tennis player Alet Mol, who was beaten by England's Sue Gilroy in the final of the singles 11-5, 13-11, 11-3. "It's a wonderful feeling to have come so far. I'm disappointed not to have won gold, but I'm happy", said Mol.
South Africa's sevens rugby team, after a disappointing
semi-final loss to Fiji, picked themselves up to win the bronze medal, beating Samoa 19-12. New Zealand successfully defended the title they won in Kuala Lumpur, pulling away to a 33-15 win over the Fijians after the islanders had two players sin-binned.
Wrestler Shaun Williams won bronze for South Africa in the up-to-55kg category, beating Nigeria's Jacob Isaac. Meanwhile, Canadian Olympic champion Daniel Igali picked up the gold in the up-to-74 kilogram final to win the only title that had so far eluded him.
Hockey, netball, triathlon
The South African men’s hockey team suffered an embarrassing 10-2 loss to Pakistan in the bronze medal game as Pakistani penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas scored five times. The Pakistanis took a two-nil lead early on, but South Africa levelled matters through Greg Clark and Emile Smith.
Pakistan, however, scored twice more before the break to lead four-two. After the interval there was only one
team in it as the Pakistanis roared to victory. Australia took gold, defeating New Zealand five-two as Troy Elder notched a hat-trick.
Australia also picked up gold in the final of the netball competition, edging New Zealand 57-55 in a sudden death playoff. Jamaica pipped England 55-53 for the bronze medal.
Canada reigned supreme in the triathlon as Olympic champion Simon Whitfield won the men's title and Carol Montgomery won the women's title.
Final medals standings
Australia topped the final medals table, improving by seven medals on its haul in Kuala Lumpur as it won 206 in total, made up of 82 golds, 62 silvers and 62 bronzes. Hosts England finished second with 165 medals, including 54 golds.
Canada also topped the 100-medal mark, finishing with 114, 31 of which were gold. India, which enjoyed its most successful Commonwealth Games showing ever, claimed one gold medal more than the Canadians, with 32, and finished with a
total of 72 in all.
New Zealand ended with 45 medals, including 11 golds, while South Africa improved on its haul in Malaysia, picking up 46 medals, an improvement of 12 on the team's showing in 1998. The 46 medals were made up of nine golds, 20 silvers and 17 bronzes.
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