Natalie du Toit's pioneering swimming career came to an end with a silver in the S9 100 metres freestyle in London.
Swimming pioneer beaten by Cole in S9 100 metres
Natalie du Toit's pioneering swimming career came to an end with a silver in the S9 100 metres freestyle in London.
Ellie Cole of Australia won the gold in one minute 02.77 seconds ahead of South African Du Toit, who brought the curtain down on her career with 13 Paralympic titles over three Games having also appeared in non-disabled events at both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Du Toit said: "It's all over. I went out there and tried my best. I now walk away from the sport. To get second is a little disappointing.
"Two months ago I wasn't going to come (to the Paralympics). It's been a tough couple of months. I look back and realise I gave everything in the pool and gave everything as a person, it's time to move on. I've no idea what's next."
Britain's Louise Watkin finished fifth in 1min 4.45secs, while Lauren Steadman was eighth.
Better news
However, there was better news for Watkin later in the night when she combined with Heather Frederiksen, Claire Cashmore and Steph Millward to secure a silver medal in the 4x100 metres medley.
"It wasn't quite the medal that I wanted but I'm still pleased with a silver medal. It's a Paralympic Games, we're second in the world. It's amazing." said Watkin.
Meanwhile, Sascha Kindred's mixed Games continued when he was disqualified following the S6 50m butterfly after initially finishing fifth.
The 34-year-old still has the S6 50m freestyle remaining but his two finals have so far brought him a welcome silver in the SM6 200m individual medley but fourth in the SB6 100m breaststroke after which he was clearly upset.
Australian Matthew Cowdrey won his 13th Paralympic gold with victory in the 100m freestyle while Bradley Snyder of the United States won his second gold of London 2012, a year to the day after being blinded by an improvised explosive device while serving with the US Navy in Afghanistan.
