Leah Markgraaff was still buzzing a day after she became the first South African to win a medal at the first Youth Olympic Games to be held on African soil and the first-ever Olympic event held on the continent. She had delivered silver in the 400m freestyle on Sunday, becoming only the fifth Team SA swimmer to medal in an individual event in four Youth Olympics Games’.

The day after her heroics, the 17-year-old spoke about the long journey she has had in the pool, and the goals she has set for the next few years. She had been back in the water on Monday, in the shorter 100m freestyle, where she didn’t go through to the final, but was still buzzing after her performance in being the first athlete to put Team SA on the medals table here in Dakar.

“I have been swimming my whole life. My first gala was in Grade 4 and I decided to fully go for it when I reached Grade 8. I cannot explain where the love for the water came, but when l am in the water, I feel a complete sense of calm.”

Markgraaff did admit however that there were plenty of nerves ahead of Sunday’s final, “Of course, stepping onto the starting block brought nerves, but I remembered that they are normal and it is because I care about what I am doing. As soon as my head submerged beneath the water, I knew I was exactly where I am always meant to be.”

The silver medallist explained that the 400m is her version of a sprint and although she did not qualify for the 100m freestyle final, she managed to set a personal best of 1:00.87. “! was aiming for a sub one minute, but it is still a PB 50 l am happy. I prefer the longer distances such as the 1500m, 800m, 400m and the 10km open water and 7.5km, so | was aiming for a personal best and it was a great experience.”

The Grade 11 student at HeronBridge College in Fourways thoroughly enjoys her school life and is good friends with the Team SA flag bearer, Bo Reed. Markgraaff joked about their competitive nature, “Bo is a really good friend of mine and we both really enjoy our academics. We can be quite competitive in terms of our marks, but that is just the athlete inside of us and it is all harmless. It is very cool to be here with her too”

Markgraaff has thoroughly enjoyed her time in Senegal’s capital and added, “I have not left South Africa that many times and I have loved getting to know the people of Senegal and the other countries that are here. Every person I talk to has something new and interesting to offer. This experience has been incredible.”

The bubbly and fast-rising swimmer is taking it all in as every moment is experience to help her on her way to her main goal. “I want to compete at the senior Olympics one day and I believe this is a step in the right direction. Before the Olympics, it would be great to take part in the junior and the senior world championships. The Commonwealth Games would also be a dream come true.”

Team South Africa’s first medallist at the Youth Olympic Games believes she is on the right path and her love of the water reminds her that she cannot stray far as the water is where she is meant to be.

Photo: OIS/IOC