With messages of support coming in from friends all around the world, Cape Town's Natalie du Toit one of South Africa's brightest prospects in the pool is determined to put her setback behind her and continue swimming competitively.

Du Toit, the teenage swimming champion whose lower left leg had been amputated following an accident, intends to "stick it out" as her goal is to swim in the Olympics, she has told MEC for Transport, Sport and Recreation Piet Meyer.

Two days after the amputation at a private clinic the 17-year-old on Monday greeted Meyer, provincial director of sport and recreation Rod Solomons, journalists and photographers at her bedside with composure and humour.

"I can't give swimming up just like that," Du Toit said. "I feel heartsore at times, but I work through it. At the moment I am loving my stump. I show it to people who visit me."

Two weeks ago, Du Toit was the star of the Western Province championships, winning 10 gold medals for freestyle, butterfly and the individual medley.

A car struck her scooter as she was riding to school from a training session last week. Three operations failed to save her leg and it was amputated at the knee. Her femur is broken in two places and she will remain in hospital for several weeks, during which she expects to resume her schoolwork.

Du Toit was training for the upcomming Telkom National Aquatic Championships in Johannesburg. "My friends who are going to the nationals said they would win a gold medal for me," she said.

Her coach, Karoly von Toros, said that with her "unbelievable" spirit, she might yet become an Olympic long-distance swimmer.

Du Toit, a Grade 12 pupil at Reddham House in Tokai, started swimming aged six and was selected for the Western Province squad a year later. She has since competed in championships worldwide.

"She missed the previous Olympics by two seconds," Du Toit's father, David, said.

She had intended to begin training full-time next year. Before the accident, she was training three hours a day in two sessions. Her parents said she was "highly motivated". She would study until midnight and get up about 5am for training.

A fund has been set up by Du Toit's swimming club, Vineyard, to help with medical expenses. The account is at First National Bank in Claremont, branch code 200109, account number 62023297551.

Deposit slips should be faxed to (021) 551-7080. For more information, call Janine at (021) 531-1620