August 05 2002 at 06:30AM

By Mark Beer in Manchester

South African swimming star Natalie du Toit, who was honoured with a Special Achievement Award at Sunday night’s closing ceremony of the Manchester Commonwealth Games, admits that she still cries at the thought of having lost her leg in a horrific accident 18 months ago.

“I do have my moments when I cry,” the 18-year-old Capetonian told BBC Sport on Sunday in what was her 16th interview of the day.

“I do get sad when I think about the accident and I tend to take it out on my coach (Karoly von Toros) a lot,” added the South African, who became the first disabled swimmer ever to contest an open final when she swam the 800m freestyle event during the Games last Friday night.

“But luckily Karoly and I have a good relationship,” she said. “We get on very well and he keeps on reminding me that I can still go for my dreams.”

The most ambitious of those has always been to make it to the 2004 Athens Olympics. “It’s a really big goal, but it has always been a part of my life,” explained Du Toit, who broke two world records and won two gold medals in EAD (Elite Athletes with a Disability) swimming last week.

“Even after the accident I wanted to go for my goals, to get on with my life again,” she added. “I’m just going to train real hard and see where it gets me… I hope to go a long way.” She admits, though, that it has not been easy. “I have had to be strong (mentally) and fight for what I believe in, and I think that having a lot of faith (in God) got me through quite well.”

Du Toit says she has nothing against the person who crashed into her while she was riding her motor scooter to a swim training session in Cape Town in February 2001.

“I believe the accident happened for a reason.” Normally, she says, she “hates the media”. “But while I have been here, it has all been so positive,” she added.

“It is important for me to get the word out that you can do anything you want to do if you put your mind to it.” When she returns to South Africa with the rest of Team SA on Tuesday morning, it will be straight back to school for the remarkable Du Toit.

“I’m in my matric year and have exams coming up, but that won’t stop me from training harder than ever,” she laughed.