Wolfgang, thanks for that bit of history ~ very interesting.

I can't help but ponder the curious fact that both the amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit AND the double-amputee runner who tried but (barely) failed to qualify for the Olympic 400 meter event both hail from the same nation, Republic of South Africa.

Both will be participants, and (I assume) overwhelming favorites in their events at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Beijing.