Chasing the Dream by Ryk Neethling & Clinton van der Berg

Chasing the Dream (Signed & Inscribed by Ryk Neethling)

The Olympic Champion's Own Story, from Bloemfontein to Athens Gold, Told with Sports Journalist Clinton van der Berg

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Chasing the Dream
• Authors: Ryk Neethling & Clinton van der Berg
• Publisher: Zebra Press, an imprint of Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, South Africa
• Publication Date: 2008
• ISBN-13: 9781770220300
• Edition Details: First published 2008. Inscribed and signed by Ryk Neethling.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated card wrappers, glued (perfect-bound) paperback, with photographic cover.
• Physical Format: Large softcover (trade paperback), approximately 235 x 155 mm.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Wraps: The photographic wrappers are generally clean. The black spine shows some white scuffing and scratch marks near the title lettering, with slight wear at the head and tail. Light rubbing to the edges is possible; the corners are not clearly seen.
• Interior: The text block is tight and the text clear, with no markings seen in the pages examined. The page edges show a yellowish toning. The title page carries the author's inscription (see Provenance).
• Provenance: Inscribed and signed by the author, Ryk Neethling, on the title page: "Aan Welma, Droom groot! [signature] Enjoy the book,".
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Chasing the Dream is the autobiography of Ryk Neethling, the South African swimmer who won Olympic gold in the 4x100 m freestyle relay at Athens in 2004. Written with sports journalist Clinton van der Berg, it follows his path from Bloemfontein, including a near-drowning at the age of six, to the world's biggest sporting stage.

Neethling writes candidly about his years training and competing in the United States, his struggles with identity as an Afrikaner, and his family's hardships. He also addresses doping in sport and his disputes with administrators. The story carries through four Olympic Games, up to Beijing 2008, and closes with his Ten Commandments for Success.

This copy is inscribed and signed by Neethling in Afrikaans and English, with the encouragement "Droom groot" (dream big), which suits a book about ambition and perseverance. It will appeal to collectors of signed South African sporting memoir.

Author Profile: Ryk Neethling & Clinton van der Berg

Ryk Neethling was born in Bloemfontein on 17 November 1977. He won Olympic gold in the 4x100 m freestyle relay at Athens in 2004 and was the first South African to compete at four successive Olympic Games. At the University of Arizona he won nine NCAA individual titles. He later became CEO of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa and founded the Ryk Neethling Swimming Schools.

Clinton van der Berg was sports editor of the Sunday Times at the time of publication and has held various posts on South African newspapers. He won the SAB Sports Writer of the Year award in 2000. Chasing the Dream was his first book.

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