This Woman Wasn't Allowed To Compete In The Olympics Because Of Apartheid. Her Son Just Won Gold.

Odessa Swarts was a standout athlete in her prime, but apartheid in her home country of South Africa kept her from competing on track and fields biggest stage.Thanks to her son, she is finally getting a taste of Olympic glory.Wayde van Niekerk, 24, broke the world record in the mens 400-meter on Sunday, claiming gold in Rio de Janeiro. Hebeat the events 2008 and 2012 gold medalistsby finishing the race in an incredible 43.03 seconds.We have a NEW WORLD RECORD in the Men's 400m! Congrats @WaydeDreamer! pic.twitter.com/qHAa6GiWEn NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 15, 2016 Moments after van Niekerk crossed the finish line, NBCs Tom Hammond put his victory in context.Thinking back home of his mother Odessa, who was a world-class athlete herself, but denied the chance to compete internationally because of the apartheid rules in South Africa, Hammond said. And the country of South Africa ... trying to put that apartheid past behind them, this one will be a rallying point for them.Swarts was a stellar runner in the 1980s and 90s, but could not compete in the Olympics because of sanctions against apartheid-era South Africa.The Cape Times explained:She chose to participate in non-racial, anti-apartheid sport under the non-racial sports organisation, South African Council on Sport (Sacos). Back in the day, if you were a member of Sacos, you chose to play sport for freedom from oppression and apartheid. The international sports boycott of [South Africa]was strictly adhered to and respected. Although Odessa longed to know her international capabilities, she stood diligently and unselfishly with anti-apartheid sport.Now, there is a gold medal and world record in the family.The time is here @WaydeDreamer words can not explain the pride I'm experiencing at this moment. Gods blessings ' pic.twitter.com/nJ7j2gGgAJ Odessa Swarts (@OdessaSwarts) August 14, 2016 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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