The True Story of Eric "The Eel" Moussambani at Sydney 2000 | Olympic Rewind

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[@jeffsmith825]

Can you imagine? Coming from a country without a true pool, training in a river and a 13m backyard pool, to walking out in front of 1000's of people having really learned basic technique in the last couple days. Then to have two others DQ and you're swimming alone! Never in his life had he swam anywhere near that far and he has the GUTS to do it in front of the world. Wow. This man is a legend. The amount of intestinal fortitude he showed is beyond comprehension.

[@johnjoe2946]

I was going to like your comment but you ruined it at the end trying to act intelligent noone is impressed. Intestinal fortitude? Why? Just say he showed guts for God's sake

[@SraTacoMal]

@@johnjoe2946 I'm trying to find a way to comment without seeming condescending or rude. Sorry if it comes off as such. This is a normal sort of comment on the Internet. It keeps things entertaining. Why say a boring stock phrase instead of making things interesting and humorous? I understand your opinion and how you took it, but I don't believe ol' Jeffie here was trying to sound like a thesaurus to seem 1,000,000 IQ for Internet cool points. He was just making a comment in typical online forum style. Another example would be how I said "ol' Jeffie here" instead of just Jeff. Again, I legit don't mean this negatively, it's just a neutral comment.

[@Arkiasis]

He actually managed to get his time down to a respectable 57 seconds a few years later.

[@MrInternetDude]

Thats impressive

[@varunshetty136]

DevLuminak no it’s legit

[@agustindelacruz7813]

How humble that he didn’t need to mention that

[@mrgalaxy3906]

My friend got a 57 at age 12

[@helpfightsawcon2851]

Meters or yards

[@victoriapostmus3504]

my coach showed this video every year to all new athletes on our usa team and always told them "if this man was strong enough to do it and make it to the olympics to represent his country, you can do anything you set your mind to" and that has always stayed with me in the 20 years i competed in this sport. amazing story, mad respect for him!

[@bellakim9169]

!!!!

[@KIM-xl6zs]

Are you an Olympian?

[@gaming4K]

So did you make it?

[@petermutua9838]

Imagine that... a coach at the ultimate world competition takes the time to teach a person the basics... I love my continent...

[@alphabetacanton]

Yes, you should be proud of the kind coach from your country.

[@chava102]

Very respectable, admirable and touching

[@janlamprecht9229]

And your continent loves you.

[@mecrykiburi6549]

Africanacity At its best

[@KIM-xl6zs]

Kabisa

[@NicoLReino]

I must admit I watched the original video some time ago and I laughed at it, I was a kid and now I came across this video and I must say that this man has MY RESPECT FOREVER!

[@gmolina3543]

Me too! Now I feel so sad for what I did a few years ago. He has all my respect

[@redtelephonebell02]

SAME

[@julioalvarenga1298]

i didn't laugh really. I felt bad for him and just wanted people to forget about him. Now I'm glad people remembered him I'm happy he got the respect for nutting up and doing something he knew was a true challenge. That is inspiring

[@briannasimon9155]

OMG same

[@Nonie46]

People may remind us that this gal or that guy is a champion on this and that Olympic. BUT ETCHED in the collective memory of mankind is the fact that at one time, a guy by the name of Eric Moussambani tried and won in the Olympics!

[@mrkumalo1763]

Well done to the South African coach and all the other competitors who took time to help Eric.

[@kupchak7292]

Ntando Kumalo i dont think he was coached

[@mrrodgers0]

The Aussie Llama- He wasn't "coached" per se, but the South African coach and a few competitors helped him out with a couple pointers here and there when they could given their own very busy training schedules.

[@samsignorelli]

@@mrrodgers0 Yeah...his entry and turn weren't all that bad, considering.

[@silverdc5]

@@mrrodgers0 Ian Thorpe too,he actually don’t know who Ian Thorpe is but found the courage to approach him and asked him questions.

[@enriquezmelissa2166]

@@silverdc5 OMG! Did Thorpe really help him? That’s so sweet. True sportship!

[@fabiothehallereffect1735]

His story deserves a movie. It is very inspiring

[@michaelairley2015]

They barely made a 10 min documentary interesting.

[@michaelmantinaos8330]

I agree

[@camilaorobio2454]

YESSSS!!

[@yofiwood2592]

I agree

[@theBIGgee]

He's not white

[@rockerseven]

The great thing about this is that as bad as his swim was, he helped to develop an actual swimming program in his country, and is encouraging other people to take up swimming. Little things like this can make a big difference. This is what the Olympics are all about, and why I love them so much, especially the special stories like this!

[@mrrodgers0]

Life is really all about getting your foot in the door.

[@GunsNRoses1123]

That's maybe an even better achievement, maybe that will give a young person a dream. It's important that kids learn swimming too.

[@bellakim9169]

!!!!

[@fannynoriega8772]

the impact he will have on kids in his country that can finally dream and learn to swim

[@pgame20]

@@mrrodgers0 well said. Very true

[@Hfajardo97]

What he did took a lot of guts. And he will definitely inspire people from his country to swim more often.

[@ClaraGD]

not only swimming, not only for his country, I got very inspired, any person knows how difficult is their path abd the important thing is to do it

[@cleorandall2444]

@Fianna did you watch the video? It took guts because he had no experience, little resources and he swam by himself in front of billions of people. I know you wouldn't do and you making this about race just shows your jealousy and racism

[@MrRodzilla]

the first thing he had to teach was to not drink the pool

[@cayden_hk6685]

When he joined the olympics, the only pool his country had is a 15m hotel pool so I think lack of equipment is the main obstacle

[@johnjackson8709]

Or to not swim lol jk

[@saintevo6953]

I remember watching you swim during the Sydney Olympics. I was in high school at the time and all I remember is we bloody loved you. You may not have won gold, but you won our hearts and our respect. Thank you for inspiring millions :)

[@Luubelaar]

I remember it too. I was watching on tv with friends and we were all cheering for him. It's SO hard to swim a good time with no-one else in the pool. He did so well considering, prior to coming to Sydney, he'd never even SEEN a 50m pool. Australia loves an underdog. Go Eric!

[@elkanjulian1037]

I wasn't on Earth

[@rushisushi2130]

"I was afraid of doing something that people will laugh at me. I think the spirit of the Olympics is not the time, it's about participation and the strength." - Erik Moussambani 2014

[@lenakimura769]

This guy may not have had the best suit, goggles, or stroke but do I know what he had? He had passion, perseverance. He did it. He knew he had to do it. Finished.

[@hypexvex7026]

word

[@hypexvex7026]

he da man

[@maddiesmith9924]

This just proves you don't have to be the best or the fastest to be the greatest. As much as I respect figures like Phelps, Eric will always be the most legendary, special person in swimming. He didn't give up and I love him for it

[@ike8236]

That is so true, I just watched Phelps win his 21st gold medal but none of them has touched people more than what Eric did.

[@jlohater3741]

+mozart mario and only you

[@MrNacknime]

I could go to the olympics without training a lot as well, why should this be respectable and great?

[@ike8236]

TG MrNacknime What country are you from?

[@MrNacknime]

***** Switzerland

[@pedrodorantes3527]

Stories like this one are only possible in the Olympics

[@arichards518]

no they aren't

[@earthisabignigga2026]

Pedro Dorantes they are only known because of the olympics*

[@goldbrodidoggo]

Absolutely. Football/soccer? Rarely

[@friendlyoldbum9182]

Hardly

[@fireblade2681]

Never heard of the lantern rouge?

[@aidana4033]

Much respect to that South African coach that helped him, instead of just blowing him off like the rest.

[@ryans6280]

So true 🤘

[@guillermobermudez4258]

"I want to encourage People to start swimming, to start doin' Sport and to stop doin' bad Things" Great Statement by Moussambani 5/5 Respect!

[@FranciscoEvuy]

from my country, am proud of him. all what he said is 100% true, swimming wasn't a sport until he made it one today. Congratulations

[@egisantoso949]

Francisco Evuy i wish someday someone from your country will be olympic winner in swimming.

[@gazdagpeet954]

This guy loves sport. Money is not everything. I am from Hungary, a quite good swimming / water polo nation, but Eric was also my hero 🔥 a huge clap and a big respect him to represent this small country.

[@souhail8612]

@@gazdagpeet954 Milak is a beast !!!

[@alphabetacanton]

Every country needs men like Eric. You are rightfully proud of him. He did not chase money and fame and rejected all temptations to make a movie or sell products. He went back to his country and build a swimming programme from scratch. He is a hero of the world and a true Olympian.

[@brucepulver8358]

as an Australian, as a human being. i have never been more proud as i was when the poolside crowd showed what the Olympics mean, To compete and try your best. Phelps, Perkins nope. the most inspirational swim from a man called Eric.

[@Indie_or_die]

Thanks to Eric's performance, I decided to stop playing basketball and to focus on swimming. Two years later, I was the only people of colour competiting at the French National Competition of swimming and I was as proud as Eric was. Thank you for your inspiration, sir.

[@KIM-xl6zs]

Wow

[@Aryan-pp8nt]

How's your swimming going now? Hope you're doing well

[@Pagangirl8]

Why France and not your country? That doesn't make any sense..

[@daryllehosten1727]

​@WenAhLam how do u know this person's country isn't France?

[@Pagangirl8]

@@daryllehosten1727 Because he's clearly not French/Native.

[@a.garcia7127]

Eric was not afraid of being ridiculed and that takes lots of guts. The majority of people including me are afraid of being laughed at. This man has a big heart. My utmost respect.

[@passaroquetemasanaovoa]

He's an Olympian and deserves all respect.

[@hus390]

An Olympian? Yes! But FINA was trying to encourage more countries to care about swimming, so it pumps swimmers from small nations. They will need to swim properly 9 heats before their reach a final. He didn't qualify because he scored a qualifying number.

[@TheMangix2]

My respect forever

[@speedoflightvanc]

+TheMangix2 Kudos to the South African coach who took the time to teach him as well. Respect to him too, always.

[@douseewhatisee2012]

Say what you want he's the fastest swimmer in his country, and holds the record

[@jamesmuthiani5680]

The first 50M pool he saw was at the olympic village...😱 and he did 100 in 1:52. Respect!

[@Jivvi]

And he even won his heat. He won a race in the Olympics. How many people can say that?

[@DorotaGabal]

Eventually, later, with more training, he brought his time to 0:57, which is a respectable time.

[@mrnobody4237]

@@DorotaGabal The WR is 46.91, so 57 is crazy quick, he must have really trained hard, just wish it had all been documented.

[@lauramartin7675]

I was 8, loved watching the swimming championships and wanted to be Susie O'Neill so when my family went to the 2000 Sydney games that was my priority. I remember being confused when two of three swimmers were disqualified and then the whole stadium started erupting in cheers for this one swimmer who wasn't an Australian competitor. My mum stood me on my chair and told me he was the only one out there and doing his best to represent his country so why shouldn't we cheer him on. As someone who'd been raised in a pool and swam before walking it hurt to see him lose energy and slow down, the room was echoing with screams and shouts for him to keep going so I joined along with everyone else, and the roar when he finally touched the wall was unforgettable. At the time I couldn't truly understand what was happening, but when I look back now it was one of the most amazing sporting moments I could have been part of. The 2000 Olympics gave me so many memories like that; watching Cathy Freeman win 400m gold in the stadium, screaming with mum at a tiny TV in the caravan park when Ian Thorpe swam the 400m, freestyle relays and my hero Susie O'Neill. Bloody oath I was lucky.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Yep I read somewhere that he didn't think he was going to make it in the last ten metres, but he heard the cheering and encouragement of the crowd and that gave him the strength to finish. So, in a small way, Eric's triumph belongs to the Australian crowd who cheered him on as well.

[@carolinapenam]

Mucha suerte de estar ahi!!!

[@dreskywalker]

He's a true role model. He could have never swimmer in the Olympics and put himself out there, but I'm glad he did. Some may laugh, but more will be inspired!

[@easyawesomemagic5703]

This is one of the greatest Olympic stories of all time. Eric didn’t win gold or break a world record; he embodied the Olympic spirit.

[@LisaSoulLevelHealing]

Yes. Can you imagine how intimidated it must have been, and he just did it anyways. Its not essy at all.

[@Spirit_Matters.Arthur]

you can only love this Story!! Respect for the man and for the dedication, swimming for your country and family even though you can't is beautiful! than also saying participation is more important than winning makes this man beautiful

[@herdeefrancisco9161]

Very humble indeed.

[@jasonmcmechan2072]

Arthur Nuyttens God bless

[@jasonmcmechan2072]

Strasznik God bless

[@jasonmcmechan2072]

Herdee Francisco God bless

[@keishasmith9875]

I had no idea. I watch the daily show and they talked about Eric the eel and i had to come see. I almost didn't believe it. Outstanding job Eric.

[@christiemarie8748]

Me too!

[@walugembejohnpaul4511]

Me three

[@MrSexydivas]

Me too!

[@MikeCassandra]

Same!

[@Pargolak]

Indeed 😅

[@X25_Networking]

all respect to him! he never give up and finished for his country. not many persons can do something like this. the Olympic Spirit "be there is everything" couldn't be better realized. he know that he haven't a Chance to win some medals but he won the Hearts of millions! eddi the Eagle, Jamaican bobsled and he are have to called in a sentence.

[@attiladezso8508]

He surely deserves a movie like Eddie and the jamaican team did!

[@h13nr1]

+Attila Dezső He needs To get better background check for sure

[@clippygoat]

How about that Djiboutian table tennis player in 2012 olympics

[@xxpinpanaxx]

Marcel Bayard people no persons madremia

[@stevedcase]

"I think that the spirit of the Olympics is not just about competition, but participation." Awesome. Ugh, cutting these onions is doing a number on my eyes.

[@TheKidzGamers]

Why in the world would people dislike this video? This is such an inspiring story of an incredible man, who didnt let anything stop him from achieving his dream

[@Nickman_1983]

I came here from Olympics Memories: Eric the Eel | The Daily Show and it was a pleasure to see his story. What pressure. What a courage. Amazing.

[@timdub3470]

You not alone, I actually thought it was a fake story the way they narrated it.

[@greenlemonboy9762]

@@timdub3470 they showed clips of the real race tho

[@KenshiroPlayDotA]

Same here. I truly wonder how many people could best him if they had such limited training. I'm also ready for when Disney will feature him in a Cool Runnings remake featuring Eric the Eel.

[@godeskybaba3141]

Same here

[@GraysonJStedmanjr]

same

[@LisaSoulLevelHealing]

Thr fact he never had a lesson, just learned on his own, i ❤❤❤❤. And they chose him and he still never took formal lesson - thats even more brilliant 😭😭😭 And the south african coach who helped him 😢😢😢 so amazing!!!!!

[@dr.vijayanraju3656]

He is a legend.... Just imagine the nervousness when he saw a swimming pool for the first time

[@SkinnySweatyMan]

They need to make this man's story into a movie, Eric the Eel is Eddie the Eagle of the summer games. Brave people like them show us it's okay to dare to dream, no matter how crazy those dreams are. The Jamaican Bobsled team got Cool Runnings and Eddie got his movie too. Eric's story deserves to be immortalized on the silver screen to inspire the children of the world.

[@lanorte1]

Talk about a role model! Eric Moussambani is the epitome of strength, courage, heart and perseverance. I'm not crying...I just have something in my eyes...

[@joemararevalo9190]

well,I'm stronger than you..i'm near tears watching but I didn"t cry..🥲

[@boredguy52]

I LOVE ERIC MOUSSAMBANI. This guy was so inspirational. I love the story and what he's doing now in Equatorial Guinea. Good luck to him, and I hope he somehow makes it back to the Olympics again.

[@1whetam1]

+boredguy52 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Moussambani he is the coach of the national swimming team :)

[@andreaj3203]

This is extremely inspiring. I had tears coming and ahh no words can explain how much this means to me. I'll be sharing this with the rest of the girls on my swim team!!

[@davinawijaya3626]

Lynn K someone keeps cutting onions near me

[@faeed00]

Me too...

[@noodlesthe1st]

This man is more of an inspiration than most gold medal winners.

[@mas5986]

Yessssss. His story is just really incredible

[@thenekom]

I don't know how I missed this in 2000. Very inspiring, you go, Mr. The Eel! Well done indeed.

[@abanjoplayer]

not sure why but 'Mr The Eel' made me laugh hahah

[@sidneykuria6574]

The mental strength it takes to do what he did makes him great

[@aristotleyalung8033]

for a novice swimmer, a time of 1:52 on an olympic size pool is pretty good.

[@ozzydo2314]

He got it down to 57 seconds too. Even with his time he was still a great athlete. he was in great shape and it takes a lot of work to do what he did with zero training in that pool. his parents and country is definitely proud.

[@aristotleyalung8033]

h13nr1 I believe it was an olympic program before that the olympic committee sponsors certain "poor" countries to allow their athletes to participate. it's good to see the back story behind it which is really nice. I'd prefer this over drug-induced cheats in the olympics which should be banned.

[@saada2102]

He got down to 57 seconds in the 50m free guys

[@evans7198]

Green Maverick I'm a jv swimmer and I swim a 57 sec 100 in an Olympic pool

[@AsianNIGMA]

TheFearRipper Gaming you'd get destroyed by my friend

[@otoybakery8455]

He finishes what he started. Respect from Indonesia.

[@phoebe348]

What a legend. He deserves a medal just for this.

[@HACHIAttack]

When I realize that he's exhausted, I always thought that you can do it... And here you are, even though you didn't have enough time, at least, everyone recognized you for what you did at the 2000 Sydney Games. You're the inspiration amongst the swimmers and congratulations for not giving up. Kudos to you Eric...

[@alexg5513]

If that's not one of the best stories EVER, then I don't know what is... Aww, bless him

[@uckBayNguyen]

He didn't need to set any records, he set his place in our hearts

[@AlexPaikadailovephotography]

dude, he actually made back, even though he knew he wouldnt be good. I love his spirit. He didnt give up.

[@swerutufon]

He deserves a movie, just like Eddie the Eagle.

[@krishnacousins7751]

He may have not been the most prepared but he was the most dedicated and focused.

[@DorotaGabal]

Imagine the guts and the grit to do this! If I heard correctly, the swimming pool back home was 13 meters long. So, just over a tenth of the distance he would have to swim to compete. If he's never swam the distance, it must have been overwhelming. Imagine arriving to the Olympics with not enough training, not enough support, not enough experience, seeing all these others perform at speeds you've never seen in real life, and still having the guts to go there, stand on that stand, and swim, knowing full well you might embarrass yourself and your country. I want to have these nerves of steel! One lesson learned from this is, you don't have to be the best there ever was to win. You have to show up, mean business, and do better than others in that one given moment that matters!

[@matthewhortop7828]

I remember this well and it was one of the best moments in that Olympics. The crowd were going absolutely mental to get him to the end. He was the best swimmer in his country so deserved to be there to take part. What an absolute legend.

[@ryenfitz4680]

He is such an inspiration. A man who doesn’t know how to swim like these olympians may not be as fast as them but is mentally stronger than all of them. A swimmer like him, everyone else in his heat got disqualified but him and he had to swim his first ever race in the largest pool he’s ever been in, in a new place, just him in the pool, in front of hundreds of thousands of people. He is the biggest swimmer inspiration

[@jnkatalina]

I watched Eric swim at the Olympics 19 years ago and cheered him with all my family, it was such an uplifting experience to watch as everyone in the stadium cheered him too :) Such a humble soul and a beautiful story, I love stories about compassion and appreciating others for who they are :) Not sure why I thought of him today but just wanted to hear and see his story again as it's so heart warming ❤❤❤

[@SportSpeed9996]

He’s my favourite Olympic swimmer of all time, he came from nowhere 😍

[@mikeg8375]

I think it's great that he's a coach now. Hopefully someday we will all watch an athlete from his country win an Olympic medal with him as the coach. That would really make the plot come full circle.

[@thealienwatcher540]

I'm here after watching Olympic Memories Eric the Eel from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Very inspiring

[@samk4911]

100% respect to this dude!

[@virginiafry9854]

You can see just how inexperienced he was by his turn Such an incredible twist of fate that he competed on his own - no need to worry about others, just concentrating on finishing! Spectacular swim!!!

[@matcole1975]

He will go down in Olympic History. When he won his heat he got a standing ovation. 💯💪

[@EightDaysAWeek00]

Still the best moment in Olympic history

[@ladybrandybuck1]

Never give up, always give your best. You've taught us that.

[@biaIetti]

Hello fellow Qxir fans

[@anonimato1987]

There should be an update on this gentleman's whereabouts nowadays. Freaking legend!

[@enkelv30]

As HG Nelson from The Dream said "...believe you me Roy, you will remember that long after you've forgotten everything else about the Sydney Olympics". A humble legend.

[@josaianamoumou8674]

This brought me tears, so inspiring. What a awesome man

[@a.brucemcdonald9038]

Great story. This guy has serious guts and heart. Look what he's doing for the kids in his country.

[@cintiagray7284]

To imagine swimming the 100m as a first time ever in a real Olympic pool in front of the world. He had no equipment, not even the proper swimsuit, no coach, no professional training, probably not even a good diet, and against all these odds, he finished! This man has more courage and strength than most people. What a grand human being!

[@judools12]

I remember watching this on tv and I really like how the spectators were cheering him on. It was one of the most memaral moments of the game. I love how even though he was nervous he gave it a got , that is what life is about I guess! all I can say is Go Eric!!!

[@valkyriehutton4556]

Amazing! Trevor Noah and Roy Wood Jr. did a segment on him. That's why I'm here.

[@liltommy0001]

I didn't think this was real when I saw it on 'The Daily Show'. I said let me check KZbin. Wow, it's amazing story.

[@DorotaGabal]

Yeah, I needed to verify.

[@DvinPrizo]

I thought it was a joke

[@myfluffy77]

I had to come verify for myself. I'm glad i did.

[@iamnottellingumyname]

So much respect for this man. A true demonstration of the Olympic spirit.

[@tenningale]

Incredible how he qualified in the first place. The female swimmer from his country (Bolopa) did the 50m free in 1:04 and also became a celebrity.

[@mertvak]

this is surprisingly awesome

[@rahulrajput18]

After the performance of Kiros Habte in this years olympics, I heard the name of "Moussambani", so I came here to laugh. But the dude made me cry. He is awesome. Even in the original video he is heard saying after the performance that he is "very happy". Never judge anyone before u know them. :)

[@Morgy09]

Same. Came here to laugh. Can't stop crying.

[@alexbleach3842]

I cried. I actually cried. I never cry but I did. I cried.

[@brit5205]

This video really makes me think that even if there seems like there's no way for me to win, there is always a measure of self achievement and that as long as we push on and do the best, that's all that matters :-) what an inspirational journey that this man has made! Good on!

[@DB-ku4ud]

One of the many reasons why Sydney was the best Olympics ever.

[@EmSiGer]

He is a real olympian and real man! Greetings from Bulgaria, man be blessed!

[@sophieandwayne]

Eric IS what the Olympic spirit is all about. Good for you Eric for making your country’s youth love this sport too.

[@maggiepies7195]

I remember the crowd. The stadium went wild with cheers.

[@kennethwoods6525]

An inspirational story for the ages. Eric Moussambani Malonga from Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶.

[@salimaddi1513]

Eric Eel learned swimming by watching Olympics swimmers during their training! And that's an inspiring legend!

[@judools12]

I remember watching this with some friends and while it was amusing I remember that all of us were also cheering for him as we had so much respect for a guy that would travel all that way and give it a go. I had respect for him then and I still do now! I think he won a lot of Australian hearts that day!

[@Paola_152_]

Alguien más viendo esto después de ver la rutina de Franco Escamilla

[@gregwarton2297]

If you aren't inspired by the sportsmanship and humbleness of this man, you have no right to comment on any sporting event. A legend, an inspiration, and one who typifies exactly what the Olympics is about. Do your best, never give up, and have self pride regardless of the result. This man will be remembered for decades to come

[@friendlyoldbum9182]

I remember watching this live. It was something else. It was a bit of a laugh at first but by the end of his swim we were cheering. A good lesson in just committing and doing your best. All respect to this man, some struggle to do it in private but he did it for the world to see. He is the definition of what Aussie's call a legend or champion!

[@matthewpope895]

This was so great to watch back in 2000. When Roy & HG featured him on "The Dream" as well, it was fantastic. What a story. Such a humble man too. Hope he's well today.

[@dxuan96]

The spirit of Olympic, it's not just competition but participation! Same with life! Do your best and your future will rewards you! ✨👍🏻

[@musyaifiabdillah9809]

ive learned a lot from him. it tells me that dont stop if you are tired but stop if you are finished !

[@skar5541]

His guts and ambition made him a hero around the world. Thanks massive respect and love Eric.

[@abhijitdavare]

this is so inspiring. It is easy to laugh but he is a pioneer and no one can take that away from him.

[@brucealcoriza1606]

This guy is inspiring. If he was only given an oppurtunity and full support from his own country then some proper amount of training, I think he can be a fast swimmer, too...Swimming is not easy, it is the most endurance and technical sports of all. But instead of making fun of this guy, I'll take him as a good example and a good motivation to train hard if you want to excel in any sport of your choice. We respect you, Eric...you may not be a popular athlete and never won a gold medal but you have the spirit and a heart of a "champion".

[@macau.friend]

Mad respect! Is no one gonna point out the impressive six packs that he had? He may not have the technique back then, but he surely had the spirit and physique of a top athlete.

[@P.Gillett]

Thumbs up for the South African coach! Good man. And congrats to this Eric for doing something special. I only just heard of this story from a Gina Yashere comedy special. Great story!

[@andrewsoe8374]

This breaks my heart, it's such a cool and humbling story.

[@emaus2011]

I laughed at his swimming. It reminded me swimming. I would be dead after 20m. Where did he get that courage? If I was him in 2000 seeing those finest athletes I would run out of the pool and run back home. Loved his interview. Terrific story. Glad to find out that he wasn't an arrogant prick full of himself but someone humble, brave and responsible. Also, it was good to see people actually encouraged him.

[@jaimeeclair8999]

Eric the Eel, lol. You're an inspiration mate!

[@slappy-chicken]

I was 14 years old when he competed at the Sydney Olympics. His "subpart" performance left a huge imprint on me. Even when the odds seem insurmountable, never give up.

[@jamesedward3619]

No one can ever take it away from him. He did something that very very few people have ever done. He won an event at the Olympics.

[@chooseyourpoison5105]

Well, technically he didn't, as his time was not fast enough to advance him to the next round, but he won everyone's hearts

[@shadowofauroura7146]

Icon of the Olympics! Icon of the Honour of Sport and Spirit! Icon of Equatorial Geniea!