Ryk Neethling Quotations

We needed Athens. People see us and say well done on Athens, well done on Montreal. We shocked the world, shocked everyone.

I said to her to look at the cricket players. They weren't given a chance but they gave it a go.

I was very happy, ... My training hadn't been consistent, as I'd been trying to juggle sponsor requirements and swimming. I was surprised with my times, and couldn't be more proud of the South African team.

I think she's got confidence now she's seen her own flesh and blood, who's maybe not the most talented swimmer, get to the top through lots of hard work, so she knows it can be done.

I think it was a huge inspiration. The next morning, we were all walking tall.

We are all friends and we have the similar feelings we had in Athens, so a world record is definitely our target and we are capable of achieving it. The relay on the opening night will be a good start for us.

What makes it important is the kind of rivalry we've been talking about with Australia, with England, with New Zealand, with Canada.

And the rivalry has pushed us on to new heights, ... Great athletes in the past have always been part of a great rivalry.

The win had a huge impact on us. The next morning we were all walking tall. My little sister is on the team and a little unsure of herself here, as are some of the younger swimmers. I told her that she should look at what the cricket team did. Anything is possible, you don't know what you can do or what can happen.

What happened when we won that relay in Athens was the beginning of something great. We were a surprise package. No one expected us to win or to break the world record. I think it changed a few things in South African swimming.

That's how he swims. He comes from behind. I knew I had to go out with Roland, but I couldn't catch him at the end.

Roland's probably been in Heat more than me, ... I can't believe that people actually want to know what bed linen I buy, or what food eat.

There's nothing special about Phelps as a person, he's just like any other guy, ... He's been a celebrity since he was 16, been pampered, and he tends to think quite highly of himself.

The only thing I regret is not returning earlier.

Thorpe will be back, which is good. Swimming is huge in Australia, and me and Roland versus Thorpe is already being built up,

I've invited young swimmers to train with me, to see what it takes, ... They see us warm up, see us perform. But they don't see the months and months of training, the mornings when you're so stiff you can't even get out of bed. I want them to see that.

I'm doing it the African way and I'm swimming faster than I ever did in my life.

It's tougher than people think. The perception is often that it's a vacation, but the studies are hard, and you still have to swim, ... It's not for everyone, but it was right for me and Roland. We wouldn't have won the relay if we hadn't gone overseas. I don't think coaches here would have believed we could do it, but the US can-do spirit helped us.

I don't know if Lyndon will travel so far just for the relay. I know he's setting good times at present and I believe he must be a member of the team.

Gary's an interesting guy. I like Gary, he's very different, ... All his antics and his talking, you have to admire him for backing it up. He has an uncanny ability to do it when it counts. Don't try to figure him out he's like Dennis Rodman, without the tattoos.

It's amazing. Such a small country, and to have two guys on the podium is great.

Athens was not the end, but the beginning, ... Some people might have been happy (with the medals in Athens), but not me. Since then we've been going faster and faster, and now we're on top of the world.

It was close. There were some butterflies but the guys swam really well.

It's a dream come true for me for her to be here with me. I'm 13 years older than her. When I took part in my first Commonwealth Games she was three year's old. I've dreamt about this day for a long time.

It's been a tough month with the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. I had a bad meet so this win felt very good after that.

It's been a huge inspiration for us and we've been walking tall around the athletes' village over the last couple of days.