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A crowdfunding campaign has raised more than $33,000 (£24,000) in just 24 hours for the South African athlete who was viciously attacked by a gang who tried to saw his leg off.
The fund was set up yesterday, as news of the horrific attack on Mhlengi Gwala began to spread around the world.
Mr Gwala was out training in Durban early on Tuesday morning when he was pulled into the bushes by his attackers, who proceeded to saw into his leg.
He only managed to escape after they hit his bone.
The story sent shockwaves through South Africa and beyond, leading one South African to set up the BackaBuddy fundraising page to “get Mhlengi back on his bike”.
The money raised – which stood at 400,000 rand ($33,550; £24,175) on Thursday morning – will help with medical bills and rehabilitation costs, the site says.
Dennis Jackson, director of the elite athlete program for KwaZulu-Natal province, told the BBC’s Newsday programme they would also be doing everything possible to get Mr Gwala back on his feet.
“Like a lot of young kids, he had a bit of trouble growing up. But he decided that he wanted to change his life and take up sport, and that’s what he did,” he said.
“So when people ask me now, is he going to overcome this, I say, for sure. He’s got the mind, he’s got the will, he’s got the strength.”
Mr Jackson said he was sure Mr Gwela – a “shining ambassador” for triathlon in South Africa – would compete again, although at what level remained to be seen.
But, he added: “Don’t be surprised if in a year or two, we see him back on the world stage.”
