Ryk Neethling was born 17 November 1977 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He attended the prestigious Grey College, where he excelled in swimming, earning a place in the South African swimming team for the 96 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where he came fifth in the 1500m freestyle. Immediately following the Games he enrolled at the University of Arizona in the United States of America, where he further cemented his swimming reputation, earning a numerous awards and accolades. The highlight of his career thus far has been winning a gold medal in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay at the ongoing 2004 Summer Olympics.Ryk dated American swimmer, and fellow Olympic gold medallist Amanda Beard for nearly six years, with the relationship ending in the Spring of 2005. Ryk was voted Cosmopolitan South Africa's sexiest man in 2005.