clipped from: www.cnn.com 
South Africa's Natalie Du Toit, left, takes a break in training at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing.
BEIJING, China (AP) -- Natalie du Toit looked like any other athlete when she walked into the Bird's Nest, carrying the South African flag at the opening ceremonies.
But now it's time to compete. And when Du Toit takes off her prosthetic left leg Wednesday to vie for a medal in the first open water race in Olympic history, she'll surely be swimming for everyone who's ever struggled with a disability, been told they can't do something, experienced being shuffled off to be with their own kind.
The 24-year-old native of South Africa lost half her left leg in a horrific accident seven years ago, but she refused to let it derail her hopes of competing against the world's best athletes.