But du Toit's time of 2 hours, 49 minutes, 9 seconds put her ahead of nine others, including 16-year-old American Chloe Sutton, who broke down in tears after finishing, every part of her body cramping and aching.

South Africa's Natalie du Toit looks on after the Women's 10km Marathon at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Shunyi Rowing and Canoeing Park in Beijing on August 19, 2008. Russia's Larisa Ilchenko won the gold medal, with Great Britain's Keri-Anne Payne and Cassandra Patten claiming the silver and bronze respectively. [Agencies]

"I've got to get faster," said du Toit, who looked like she could swim another 10 kilometers. "The race will obviously improve. This is the first time they've swum it at the Olympics. It's going to get faster and faster."

An up-and-coming swimmer who just missed qualifying for the Sydney Games, du Toit's life took a tragic turn in 2001. Returning to school on a motorbike after a training session, she collided with a car and sustained massive injuries to her left leg. Doctors tried for a week to save it but finally had to amputate at the knee.

Instead of giving up on her athletic career, du Toit was back in the water six months later. Swimming made her feel whole again, but she wasn't competitive with able-bodied athletes in the pool, where the legs are vital for starts and turns.

Along came open water, which was added to the program for Beijing. There are no flip turns to negotiate in marathon swimming, which is usually held in lakes and oceans, and the upper body is more important than the legs.

Du Toit had found her new calling. She qualified for the Olympics with a fourth-place finish at the world championships in Spain this year.

"I find it hard, and I'm a completely able-bodied person," said Cassandra Patten, who won bronze in the race held at the Olympic rowing and canoeing course. "She's an amazing role model."

Ilchenko praised du Toit for not letting her disability hold her back. She was right in there battling with everyone else in a race that's often called wrestling in the water for its rough tactics.

"I'd even go so far as to award her a separate medal," the winner said through a translator. "I have enormous respect for her. It is exceedingly hard. Just looking at these people inspires you."