Resort group goes for gold at Beijing Olympics

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Mantis and Destination Southern Africa are offering their support to the legendary Ryk Neethling, one of most successful swimmers in the history of South African swimming, and fellow South African and African record holders Lyndon Ferns and Darian Townsend.

“It is an honour for Mantis Collection to be associated with such incredible sportsmen. Together we share a similar underlying philosophy of quality, excellence and distinction which contributes considerably to the positive marketing of South Africa abroad. We wish them the best of luck for the up and coming Beijing Olympics - bring home the gold,” says Adrian Gardiner, chairman of Mantis Collection.

These three swimmers were members of the 4 x 100 Freestyle relay that won the gold medal from the previous Olympics held in Athens and in the process successfully smashed the world record; the first time in years that the gold was taken from the various US and Australian swim teams that have long had the stronghold over this event.

Recently, Mantis Collection opened an office in Austin, Texas, and marked the auspicious occasion by joining Terry von Guilleaume, founder and owner of Destination Southern Africa Vacations to help support the team as they embark on their to journey to reclaim the gold.

Von Guilleaume has become acquainted with the South Africans because they spend much of their year training under the watchful eye of their coach, Rick DeMont, at the University of Arizona. This support from Mantis will allow DeMont, who himself was a world record holder and was an integral part of the success of the relay team in 2004, to finally visit South Africa. DeMont has been on the South African Olympic coaching staff in 2000, 2004 and 2008.