OLYMPIC swimmer Mandy Loots has added a new dimension to the coaching scenes in the Durban area this year. The versatile swimmer has decided to settle in the uMhlanga area just a year after retiring from the sport at 34 years of age in December 2012. Mandy has had a long serving career for South Africa, having represented the country at the 1996, 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games, a record in itself alongside the three Olympics achieved by Penny Heyns in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

Having trained and competed in the Johannesburg area, Mandy took up a coaching post at the Crawford College La Lucia in January and has been working closely with the Seals Swimming Club under coaching director and aQuelle Midmar Mile race director, Wayne Riddin.

“After Mandy retired, I invited her to enter her first Midmar Mile last year. She took it further than that and completed the 8 Miles for charity for Pink Drive. Her arrival in the Durban North area is a huge boost for our club as well as Durban and KwaZulu-Natal,” said Riddin.

“I have involved Mandy with our competitive swimmers despite her wanting to concentrate on learn-to-swim. Her knowledge and experience at the competitive levels is too valuable not to mention her enthusiasm. The reaction from the swimmers has been amazing and our results at the Level 3 championships in Cape Town and Senior Nationals in Durban recently were at a high with the support of Mandy.”

Mandy was the most decorated South African athlete at the 1999 All Africa Games in Johannesburg with six gold medals. She has also competed at the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and 2006, the African Swimming Championships in 2008 and 2010 as well as the World Short Course Championships and World Cups.