South African swimmer, Penny Heyns, wins a gold Medal at Atlanta Olympics

Date: 23 Jul 1996
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Penelope Penny Heyns was born on 8 November 1974 in Springs, Gauteng Province. Heyns began swimming at a young age and displayed great skills. Her swimming was exceptional, securing her a bursary to study at the University of Nebraska in the United States. In 1996, Heyns was part of Team South Africa in Atlanta. She made history by winning both the 100m and 200m events at the games. She remains the only woman in the history of the Olympic Games to have achieved this. Heyns was named Female World Swimmer of the year in 1996 and 1999 by Swimming World Magazine. She retired from professional swimming in 2001.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Five Seasons Entertainment Penny Heyns [online] Available at: www.5seasons.co.za [Accessed on 4 July 2012]
02Huskers Penny Heyns Biography [online] Available at: www.huskers.com [Accessed on 4 July 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, July 19). South African swimmer, Penny Heyns, wins a gold Medal at Atlanta Olympics. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0088569

South African History Online (2012) 'South African swimmer, Penny Heyns, wins a gold Medal at Atlanta Olympics', South African History Online, 19 July. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0088569 (Accessed: 29 July 2026).

South African History Online, South African swimmer, Penny Heyns, wins a gold Medal at Atlanta Olympics [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0088569, (accessed 29 July 2026).

"South African swimmer, Penny Heyns, wins a gold Medal at Atlanta Olympics." South African History Online, 19 July 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0088569. Accessed 29 July 2026.

South African History Online. "South African swimmer, Penny Heyns, wins a gold Medal at Atlanta Olympics." South African History Online. July 19, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0088569.