The South African became the first ever female amputee swimmer to qualify for both the Olympics and Paralympics last year, where she placed 16th in the inaugural Olympic 10km open water event before winning five gold medals at the Paralympics a month later. 

 

The 25-year-old Du Toit, who is from Cape Town and carried the flag for her native South Africa at the opening ceremonies for both the Olympics and Paralympics, will compete in the 100 metres freestyle event at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on May 25.

 

Du Toit said: “I will be competing in the 100m freestyle at the BT Paralympic World Cup and my expectations are to go out there and try my best.

 

“2009 is the first year of my preparations leading up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and therefore I am taking baby steps.

 

"I had taken a two week break after the Paralympics and worked up until the end of December in order for me to travel this year and gain as much international experience as I can, especially in open water swimming.

 

"There will be an open water event at the able-bodied World Championships in July in Rome and furthermore I would like to participate in a couple of open water World Cup events later in the year.

 

"The BT Paralympic World Cup is a great stepping stone in the disability international competition calendar and will really help with my preparations.”

 

The BT Paralympic World Cup is the first major multi-sport elite disability event to be staged since the Beijing Paralympic Games and major international stars and a strong British contingent are expected.

 

The competition will be staged in Manchester from May 20-25, with over 400 competitors from over 31 countries scheduled to compete.

 

Athletes will compete in four sports at world class competition venues in Manchester: wheelchair basketball and athletics hosted at the Manchester Regional Arena, swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre and track cycling at the Manchester Velodrome.

 

Tickets for the BT Paralympic World Cup are now on sale and can be purchased via the event website at www.btparalympicworldcup.com  or the ParalympicsGB website at www.paralympics.org.uk or by calling 0844 8471622.

 

Tickets cost £3 per session. 

 

Related Stories:

October 2008:

South Africa's Paralympic champions rewarded with cash