American legend Johnson saw his 17-year-old record obliterated by the South African, Van Niekerk producing a stunning run from lane eight to top the podium.
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“I believed it was possible”.
“When he came to Jamaica, I said to him, ‘You’re the only person who can break the 400-meter record, ‘” Bolt recounted.
He crossed the line in 43.03, leaving defending Olympic champion Kirani James from Grenada and 2008 Olympic gold medallist LaShawn Merritt from the United States trailing in his wake.
Bolt was quick to congratulate van Niekerk, with the latter revealing he had been inspired by the world’s fastest man during a training camp in Jamaica. “I’m just glad I managed to get through it”, said Murray.
“This year I was hoping I would be in good shape when my coach told me they were going to put on a 300m [at a grand prix meeting]”. “He’s very fast and keeps on going”. It shows that there’s always room for guys to improve.
“She’s an incredible woman”, van Niekerk said after the race, per Sport24.
“Wayde is actually the first South African sprinter to win an Olympic gold since Bevil Rudd, also in the 400, at Antwerp 1920”, said the Johannesburg-based news site Times Live.
Van Niekerk found his inspiration in an unusual form – Oscar Pistorius. “It is something I thought I could do, but never did”. She got emotional when describing her responsibility in coaching van Niekerk. This young man has done something truly special.
“Being out in lane eight helped him, he was away from James and Merritt”. He was running a time-trial. In addition to a sub-44 second 400, he has run a sub-20 second 200 and sub-10 second 100.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Wayde van Niekerk after he won the mens 400m final in a new world record of 43.03 seconds during the evening session on Day 9 Athletics of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bolt won his record-setting third straight title and his seventh Olympic gold, beating American Justin Gatlin, who was greeted with raucous boos, by.08 seconds. “It was a insane race, a great moment in history”, said Merritt, who was unable to defend his title in London after suffering a hamstring injury in the heats.
“Oh my God! From lane eight, a world record”, Johnson said on the BBC.
“This is the ideal opportunity to thank each and every one who has supported me and has been a part of this journey and to thank everyone in SA”.
“They are excited, I understand that”. I was thinking, ‘What’s going on?
“He ran his heart out. You’ve got to run it from the start to run 43.0”.
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This time security intercepted the intruder before he reached Sumgong, who crossed the finish line safely in 2 hours, 22 minutes, 4 seconds. They met with his parents and laid out a plan, the focus of which was to not push van Niekerk’s body beyond its limits.
