Pieter Du Preez fulfils his dream to become Olympics gold medal winner
SUNNINGHILL – Du Preez has been described as an inspiration and epitome of hope in the community.
Gold medal winner at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games and resident of Sunninghill, Pieter du Preez, received a hero’s welcome from local residents when he arrived home on September 5.
Du Preez won a gold medal in the Men’s H1 cycling time trial in the Paralympics on August 21.
Scores of residents lined the street shouting his name and flying South African flags high as a local security motorcade escorted him to his residence.
The chairperson of Sunninghill Community Ratepayers Association, Linda Gildenhys, described Du Preez as an inspiration and epitome of hope.
“Pieter du Preez is a resident of Sunninghill and does a lot of his training on the roads of Sunninghill. Everyone knows him or knows of him,” said Gildenhys.
“We as a community have always been very proud of his achievements so when we heard that he had won a gold medal we were overjoyed.”
She added, “He is an inspiration to all of us residents of Sunninghill, young and old.
“Pieter’s victory came at the time when people were battling with so many negative things [Covid-19] and needed good news. The number of residents who came out proved that he is indeed their hero.” Du Preez thanked local residents for the support and love they’ve shown him even before the Paralympics.
“This was incredible and completely caught me off guard. I didn’t expect such a great warm welcome back from my community,” he said.
“I hope that my win will spark some extra hope in everyone and make people realise that we all have the power to inspire and make an impact on those around us. This has been my dream to win a gold medal since I was six years old.”
