South African amputee Natalie Du Toit was one of only two athletes to enter both the Olympics and the Paralympics.

Du Toit will defend her five gold medals in 50 metres,100 metres and 400 metres freestyle, 200 metres individual medley and 100 metres butterfly at the Paralympics.

Even though there was no medal for Du Toit in the Olympics, she has already won hearts around the world. The 24-year-old lost her left leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001 - a year after narrowly failing to qualify for Sydney Games.

The Cape Town-bred swimmer believed perseverance was the key to her success.

She missed out on qualifying for the 2004 Athens Olympics but competed in the Paralympics that year, winning five gold medals and a silver. She also won gold against able-bodied swimmers in the 1,500 metre freestyle at last year's All Africa Games.

The swimmer hoped her experience could be an inspiration for people with disabilities.

Du Toit will defend her five gold medals in 50 metres,100 metres and 400 metres freestyle, 200 metres individual medley and 100 metres butterfly at the Paralympics.

(CCTV September 9, 2008)