Penny Heyns to pay Roodepoort a visit soon

It has been confirmed that 1996 Olympic gold medallist in Atlanta and the country’s female swimming sensation, Penny Heyns is coming to Roodepoort.

Florida Swimming Club (FSC) head coach Tracey Hemphill confirmed last week that, “In late September (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29) the internationally renowned Penny will be hosting a two-day swimming clinic with our swimmers and those interested at the club house (Allen Glen High School) from 9am to 4.30pm”.

Penny took gold in both the 100 metres and 200 metres breaststroke events during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and became the only woman in Olympic history to do so. She was also the only swimmer to win gold medals for South Africa in the pool at this Olympic Games. Marianne Kriel was the only other South African to have received a medal at the Atlanta Games but in the women’s 100 metres backstroke event.

Penny then took bronze in the women’s 100 metres breaststroke event at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and she was the only South African woman to have received a medal at these games. At the time Terence Parkin was the only South African male to have received a medal in swimming when he took silver in the men’s 200 metres breaststroke event.

Penny broke 14 individual world records during her career and retired from professional swimming in 2001. She has since grown into a highly sought-after professional speaker, her official website www.pennyheyns.com confirmed.

She has also been described as “the greatest female breaststroker of the 20th century”.

Tracey added that, “We are absolutely honoured that Penny will be taking the time to slot us into her very hectic schedule.

“She’s been an inspiration to everybody in the swimming world and is probably South Africa’s most successful swimmer to date. Besides her being a director of her own company Penny is also on the International Athletes Representation Board.”

Swimmers interested in attending the Penny Heyns swimming clinic can contact Tracey on 083 399 1205.