Du Toit, who had her left leg amputated at the knee in 2001 after she was hit by a car, is a 10-time Paralympic gold medallist and one of only five athletes to have competed in the both Olympics and Paralympics.

The swimmer becomes only the second South African to have claimed the Laureus Disability Award after wheelchair racing great Ernst van Dyk picked up the prize in 2006.

Since the awards were established in 2000, some of the biggest names in disability sport have been awarded the Laureus Disability Award including legendary Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc and Dutch wheelchair tennis queen Esther Vergeer who remains the only athlete to have claimed the award twice, in 2002 and 2008.

South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) President Gideon Sam led the congratulations for du Toit as he said: "All South Africans can be proud of her spirit and her never-say-die attitude.

"She is a true inspiration to each and every athlete in this country, and the world, and we are hoping that she can build on this prestigious award as we look ahead to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London.

"It is people like Natalie that provide the incentive for youngsters to aspire to greatness.

"She fully deserves this acknowledgement."

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