Olympic Champion Ryk Neethling has been appointed as CEO of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa.
“Ryk is a true champion – a man of integrity, talent and remarkable inner strength,” said Princess Charlene in a statement on Tuesday.
“He is passionate about water safety and will, I know, take my Foundation from strength to strength in South Africa.”
Established in 2012 the foundation has since reached more than 300,000 people worldwide in its quest to reduce death by drowning,
“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,” recounted Neethling.
“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.
“I am excited about the future of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA as the cause is a critical one. Under the leadership of Gavin Varejes, the Board has done a great job and I will continue to rely on their experience and commitment in making a difference.”
Neethling is one of the most accomplished swimmers in history. An Olympic Gold Medallist and the first South African athlete to represent his country in four consecutive Olympic Games, he also holds the title of three-times World Champion and four-times World Record Breaker.
Following his retirement from swimming, Neethling’s successful business career started with the launch of the Ryk Neethling Swimming Schools franchise in 2008 before he moved to the elite Val de Vie Estate in the Western Cape, where he is both a Shareholder and the Marketing Director.
– African News Agency (ANA)
