Edenvale Paralympic swimmer set to represent SA in Paris

Paralympian and Edenvale swimmer Kat Swanepoel will represent South Africa on the international stage when she competes at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

The Benoni resident and occupational therapist will depart with four teammates for the games on August 12.

She trains at Edenvale High School with the Dragons Swimming Club.

“It’s an amazing honour to have been selected, you realise that what you’re doing is not about you but rather the country.

ALSO READ: Local canoeist eyes Olympics in Paris

“Anytime you have the opportunity to represent your country I don’t think there are words to describe it, an honour seems like a small word,” said Swanepoel.

“Now that we are nearing the Paralympics, you experience angst. Have you done enough? It’s a privilege to still be competing and to have these opportunities, that’s huge.”

She said it is the culmination of years of work coming to fruition.

Swanepoel will be joined in Paris by fellow swimmers Alani Ferreira, Christian Sadie, Danika Vyncke and Nathan Hendricks.

Swanepoel, who is wheelchair-bound, was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

ALSO READ: Annual baseball fun day returns on June 29 at Edenvale Sports Grounds

In 2008 during her final year of study for occupational therapy, Swanepoel suffered weakness in the legs and loss of sensation.

“Initially we thought it was orthopaedic problems, possibly a pinched nerve.”

She said after going for an MRI it was discovered there were lesions on her spinal cord.

It was only after Swanepoel endured her first optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) that Swanepoel was diagnosed with PPMS.

Swanepoel said during her preparations for the Paralympics she had a change in her classification.

Previously an S4 category swimmer, Swanepoel said when she competed in the European Championships in Madeira she received a surprise. “I was moved up to S5.”

ALSO READ: Young rugby players inspired by their heroes at Edenvale Sports Grounds

Swanepoel said all of her events have changed except for the 50m backstroke.

“The reclassification meant that I had to requalify for the games. In each classification, the times change. It also meant that I had to learn how to swim butterfly in the span of two months,” said Swanepoel.

She was only due for reclassification in 2027.

“At the moment you question if it is the end of the journey, but SACOC have been amazing. They care about athletes rather than performances.”

Swanepoel, who is 75% physically disabled, will now compete against athletes who are more physically capable than she is.

“It’s been something huge that I needed to get my head around and took a lot of digging deep.”

Swanepoel said she was told that she is looking stronger and more conditioned, hence the classification change.

ALSO READ: Edenvale skater shares his passion for the sport

She will compete in the 200m freestyle, the 100m breaststroke, the 50m backstroke and the 200m individual medley.

No stranger to adversity or the international stage, Swanepoel has also represented SA in other sports.

She played wheelchair rugby between 2012 and 2016 and wheelchair basketball between 2010 and 2016.

Swanepoel also represented SA at the Tokyo Paralympics for swimming where she narrowly missed out on winning a bronze.

Growing up, Swanepoel described herself as an outdoorsy and sporty child.

ALSO READ: Golfer claims victory for league by Balderstone Sports Institute

She said as an able-bodied person she competed in hockey and squash before transitioning to wheelchair rugby  and basketball.

Swanepoel explained that she took up swimming at the end of 2019 after retiring from competitive wheelchair rugby and basketball.

“I was suffering too many injuries, I had an unstable neck injury and detached retinas. I got into swimming as a way to continue staying fit “

Theo Verster, the SA’s Paralympic head coach for swimming and former professional swimmer, said this will be his fifth Paralympics.

“Getting to work with Swanepoel and fellow Dragons swimmer Danika Vyncke is amazing. Having two of the five swimmers who qualified for the Paralympics from Dragon Swimming Club is fantastic for a small club like ours.

“It’s amazing for me and my team to represent the country and showcase how hard our Paralympic swimmers have worked in the last three years.”

Verster said Swanepoel’s reclassification was a ‘roller coaster ride’.

Because of the reclassification, Swanpoel is now competing in four events instead of five.

Verster said this decision was made not to strain or put added pressure on Swanepoel.

ALSO READ: Young golfer wins the tournament for Balderstone Sport Institute

He emphasised that medals are not everything it’s about the lives of the athletes and their quality of life.

According to Verster, Swanepoel is a formidable athlete.

“I refer to her as a one percenter in my eyes. Swanepoel is in the same class as Michael Phelps and can do whatever she sets out to.”

Verster said countless times Swanepoel has proven her abilities.

“When I met Swanepoel for the first time at the Tokyo Paralympics, she had only been swimming for a few months. Within a week of being her new coach, I realised she is special.”

He commended her abilities and progression in the sport.

ALSO READ: Local youngsters prepare hard for upcoming sporting events

Giving his predictions for this year’s games, Verster said SA will make it to several finals.

“Hopefully we can bring home some medals too.

Our initial goal was to bring back at least five medals but I think the first prize for Swanepoel will be to make finals, which will be a monster achievement as most S5 classification swimmers can walk, kick and have functioning arms.

“If Swanepoel make a final it will be like winning a gold medal.”