There is a huge sense of pride when you get to represent the people of South Africa, especially when you see the flag on your swimming cap before you go out to race.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”.

Carla Johnson (18) is passionate about sports and she is appealing for a good Samaritan to sponsor her so that she doesn’t miss any more competitions PHOTO: TIYESE JERANJI

Rebecca Meder and Trisha Pollicutte with me on the podium for 50 Fly

My biggest challenge is to make it to the big Olympics one day…and because of that I’m training and giving my all to achieve that.

Gone!

Ruan Tweeted: “Tuks Olympian and role model to many @PrinslooKarin crowded by excited young swimmers for her autograph #inspiration”.

Karin in full flight

Advertise on Heslop Sports

Grecia – Olimpia – 21/04/2016 – REVEZAMENTO DA TOCHA OLIMPICA RIO 2016 – Cerimônia de acendimento da Chama Olímpica Rio 2016 e início do revezamento grego no sítio arqueológico do Templo de Hera. Na foto, o segundo condutor do revezamento grego, Giovane Gávio. Foto: Rio2016/Andre Luiz Mello

Two Champions – Michael with Sissy Michaela

My name is Devon Myles William Brown, but most people know me as Myles. The reason for this is that it is a family tradition that the first-born son of each generation is called by their second name as well as taking the name William.

I love rocking my heels and modeling when no one is around to see.

Travelling outside SA has also made me appreciate our beautiful country as well as and everyone back at home.

Devon Myles William Brown, is on a roll, on an unstoppable siege as he takes the world by storm.

Quiet moment of contemplation.

50m back podium photo

Quiet Moment of contemplation.

Carissa and Mom Speedo Prestige July 2013 1st SA Nationals Record 50m backstroke

He is a grade 11 student at Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town. Lucky guy, with the sea and beautiful Table Mountain to urge him on!

I have learned how to stay focused, how to communicate with people speaking different languages and manage long periods of time without my family.

Proud champion.

Proudly team Gauteng

I try to plan my days really meticulously and stick close to that plan. It helps to put everything into perspective.

Travelling put me in many different environments, and that made me even want to train much harder.

Shireen Shapiro wins Bronze in the 100m backstroke final… Day 6 of the London 2012 Paralympics. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY MEDIA24

Underwater fun!

Right now, all my energy is focused on my training and keeping my body in the best shape possible for the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, in August. This in turn is preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio next year.

Power Start

Academic

Jonathan

Awards received at the 2015 NTS Gala Evening

Smile for the Paparazzi

NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-An van Dyk. Copyright picture by Wander Roberto / SASPA

Ready for take off

The highest accolade that I have achieved was to represent South Africa at the Common Wealth Games and Youth Olympics last year.

Terug Spele toe? René Kalmer hardloop vier jaar gelede in die marathon op die Olimpiese Spele in Londen verby die Olimpiese ringe wat op die pad geverf is. Sy en Irvette van Zyl hoop om Sondag in die Londen-marathon weer vir die Spele te kwalifiseer.Foto: AP

Myles Brown

SA Champion Medalists.

MAMMA I MADE IT: Matthew Meyer swam a qualifying time to represent SA in the 1500m at the Rio Games during the SA National Aquatic Champs at the weekend Image by: Supplied

Podium photo 100m back

Irvette van Zyl Foto: DEAAN VIVIER

Andrew Clan

Supporting Team Gauteng

December 2009

Medals and trophys

Life’s awesome and if I live in a bubble, it’s a bubble I wish a lot of people could enjoy with me!

Champion by land and by water

Michael with dad in the beautiful Drakensberg

“…a girl that have had the opportunity to represent South Africa at the World Championships, Youth Olympics and Common Wealth Games through the guidance of my coach Igor Omeltchenko”.

I love Kansas, I love our home in Kansas, and I love the fact that I’m so blessed to have a pool in my back yard to be able to do what I love.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. 26 July 2014. Commonwealth Games, swimming Day Three. Chad le Clos, gold medal and Sebastion Rousseau, bronze medal in the 100m fly. Copyright picture by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN / SASPA

Ruan Ras: A true Youth Sports Ambassador.

Michael’s cousins with Chad and Michael

Matthew Meyer Olympic Trials

Ready, Steady, GO!!

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE – 21 APRIL: Priestessperforme during the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Rio Olympic Games at the Ancient Olympia site on April 21, 2016 in Olympia, Greece. Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame from Ancient Olympia on relay through Greece for eight days before a hand-over ceremony at Panathenian Stadium in Athens. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption***

Douglas Erasmus in the Men 100m Freestyle Semi Finals during day 4 of the SA National Aquatic Championships 2016 at Kings Park Aquatic Centre on April 13, 2016 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

Michael’s Dad – Peter

The late Jeanne Davin with Daniela

Fun loving guy

Queen of the Swimming Pool

Zane Waddell prior to the Men 100m long course backstroke finals at the SA National Aquatic Championships 2016 in Durban. PHOTO: STEVE HAAG

…but my greatest personal accomplishment would definitely be breaking Ryk Neethling’s Long and Short course 400m Freestyle national records.

This is possibly the most important part of an athlete’s career. This is when you need to have all the self belief in yourself and what you are doing, and with this self belief you will be able to rise from any “difficult patch”.

Karin and I being interviewed by Speedo

Sisterly love.

Jarred Crous

100m back stroke medalist

Karin doing her brilliant backstroke thing

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Michael Phelps & Michael

About Hard Times: “Fall down 7 times get up 8!! Always do what makes you happy and if you have a passion for that sport and love it, it will make those difficult patches a lot easier to handle”.

Getting ready for 100m back final

True Leader: Head Girl 2015

Ultimately I am working towards next year’s Olympic Games and hopefully my dream will become a reality.

The moment when Crous realised he’d just beaten the qualifying time for the Rio Olympics! Photo Credit / Anesh Debiky/Swim SA

Karin with Coach Igor Omeltchenko

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 18: Jonathan Draai of Eastern Province during the match between Eastern Province vs South Western Districts at NMMU B during day 3 of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week on December 18, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)

Medal time!

Calvyn Justus

Best piece of advice I’ve ever been given “swim for you and for no one else”.

Cameronvd Burgh 4 and Jarred Crous 5, both set Olympic qualifying times ine 20m breaststroke.

I have been swimming for the past 15 years and have loved every minute of it, even during the extremely tough and difficult phases.

As a younger champ

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Durban South Africa – December Saturday 19th, GV during the 2015 KZN Premier Championships. KINGS PARK POOL COMPLEX – MASABALALA YENGWA AVE -DURBAN,Saturday 19th December till Sunday 20st December 2015.(Photo by Steve Haag)images for social media must have consent from Steve Haag

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Michael is very fond of Achmat and they are now GoPro buddies.

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE – 20 APRIL:Katerina Lehou, who plays the role of high priestess pass the flame to the olympic torch at the Ancient Olympia site during a rehearsal for the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Rio 2o16 Olympic Games Olympic Games on April 2o in Olympia, Greece. The torch was lit using the rays of the sun in the ancient sanctuary where the Olympic Games were started in 776 BC, near the temple of Hera. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption***

The highest accolade that I have achieved was to represent my country at high level World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Shireen Shapiro wins Bronze in the 100m backstroke final… Day 6 of the London 2012 Paralympic. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY MEDIA24

Go!

The Olympic Flag flies in front of “Christ the Redeemer” statue during a blessing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro August 19, 2012. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

René Kalmer Foto: GETTY IMAGES

Perfection

As the years progressed I have gone to places like Scotland, Spain, France, Netherlands, Dubai, Australia and China competing with the best athletes in the world.

GABORONE, BOTSWANA. 28 MAY 2014. African Youth Games which take place in Gaborone from 22 May until 31 May. Athletics. Copyright picture by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN / SASPA

Football

Take your marks

Irvette van Zyl . Picture: BACKPAGEPIX

Steady

Which athlete/ athletes inspire you? The Awesome Foursome – Ryk Neethling, Roland Schoeman, Darian Townsend, Lyndon Ferns – who won gold in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. These guys proved to me at a young age that South African swimmers could go and compete with the best in the world and come out victorious!

Joining Karin for sponsor duty

What Next for Carla: “To be better than what I was the last time and to prove to those who said I wouldn’t make it that I’m strong enough to do better”.

Happiness is…

Matthew Meyer

Rene’s dad – Ian

Getting to practice with Penny’s medals!

NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-An van Dyk. Copyright picture by Wander Roberto / SASPA

Karin looking all relaxed

Fun with good friendies

Hahaha, it would probably be that I am very quiet and an introverted person, so often I think people take it as me being upset, in a bad mood or arrogant even, which is not the case I hope…

Carissa and Dune at OR Tombo 1st International Tour

Matric Dance 2015

Proudly Team Gauteng

Meeting Elvis Blue at his concert after first swimming an NTS Age Group Gala

Myles Olympic Trials

New friendships forged

Michael in full flight

My sister and I with Karin returning from London 2012

100m back podium photo

Heslop Sports

Swimming mates

Football

Read for take off!

Champion swimmer.

A day at the beach in SA

Podium photo 4 x 100m Medley relay

Proudly Team SA

NTS Champs 2014

My highest accolade was when I went to the World Junior Champs in the USA for the long jump and Ethiopia where I competed against the Commonwealth winner, and still got a silver medal.

I leave home at 4:50 am, go for morning training, then school, then back to training and finally return home by 6:45 pm and then homework starts.

Carissa and Chad le Clos Speedo Prestige July 2013

Rachel with Coach Gerhard Zandberg

Matthew Meyer

Michael in his 3 stripes.

Having faith in who God is, is one of the biggest things you could ever do. Always believe that you are a conqueror and with God everything is possible.

Rene Warnes – Proudly South African.

Frank Heslop

Ready

On top of my swimming I always like to be active, so I really enjoy my surfing and golf.