Pieter du Preez reflects on Paralympic success and national pride
11th February 2025
South African Paralympian Pieter du Preez has opened up about his journey from aspiring Olympian to Paralympic gold medallist.
The 41-year-old, who was paralysed at 23 after a car accident, won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and bronze in Paris, adding to his six UCI Para-cycling Road World Championship medals.
Speaking to SABC Sport, du Preez described the challenges he faced in his sport category and the long road to achieving his dream.
"It's very hard to describe what it's like to realise a childhood dream and obviously winning that gold medal at the Games," reflected du Preez.
"Obviously when I was a kid, I wasn't in a wheelchair, I didn't break my neck until I was 23 years old so then the dream was an Olympic gold then obviously after breaking my neck that dream changed to a Paralympic gold.
"From six years old I was praying and dreaming of winning that gold medal and there was a lot of hardships and quite a lot of discrimination or challenges for my sport category in the sport since I became a quadriplegic.
“There was lots of fighting in the background before we had endurance events at the Paralympic Games. So, at the age of 41, 35 years after having that dream, to come out and win that gold medal is something that is very difficult to describe in words.
“I think what's important to realise is, if you are not enough without these medals, you will never be enough with them. The only way that you'll be enough is to make sure that your journey towards that dream or goal s purposeful, and every step along the way, whoever crosses your path that you try and be purposeful and make a difference."
‘Supa Piet’ was also the first person with tetraplegia to complete an Ironman Triathlon and credits all his achievements to the support of South Africans throughout his journey.
"I always say winning the gold in Tokyo, or any medal for that matter, is not my medal—it's our medal. The 'our' obviously refers to those who have been on this journey with me," he added.
"I'm extremely proud to be South African, so it's South Africa's medal, but also for all my friends and supporters from around the world who have been part of this journey in some way.
"It was truly humbling to come back home. I live in Sunninghill, and the community surprised me with a parade. That was during Covid—I don't think it was completely legal.
"But as I drove to my house, I was overwhelmed by tons of people standing along the road. I'm not a guy who cries easily, but that moment brought me to tears."
