South African Olympian Ryk Neethling Named CEO of Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

Ryk Neethling at the 2000 NCAA Championships - Photo Courtesy: Tim Morse / Swimming World Archives

South African Olympian Ryk Neethling was recently named the newest CEO of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. The foundation was first established in 2012, with operations based out of South Africa since 2013. More than 300,000 people worldwide have been reached as a part of the foundations quest to reduce the risk of death by drowning, this includes a total of 2,507 children receiving swim lessons in South Africa in 2016. Another 27,242 children in South Africa received water safety skills through 23 projects in 2016.

Regarding his new appointment, Neethling explained to the Associated Press,

“Since my swimming career started at the age of five after a near-drowning incident, I have shared the same passion for water safety as Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene. Twenty-five years ago, we both began representing South Africa at international swimming competitions, and it is an incredible honour for me to now be entrusted with the task of leading her Foundation here in our country.”

Princess Charlene added,

“Ryk is a true champion – a man of integrity, talent and remarkable inner strength. He is passionate about water safety and will, I know, take my Foundation from strength to strength in South Africa.”

Neethling was a four-time Olympian for South Africa and the first South African athlete to represent the country in four consecutive Olympic Games. He won a gold medal as a member of the 400 free relay team at the 2004 Athens Olympics and was a three-time World Champion. Additionally, he swam for the University of Arizona Wildcats and was a 9-time NCAA champion.

More about Neethling’s new position can be found at Channel 24 News.

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Thomas A. Small

6 years ago

Congratulations

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