“There is no way I am going to limit myself”.
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“Hopefully next season, if [van Niekerk] is in good shape and my coach puts the meet on again, I get a chance to run”, Bolt continued, according to the Herald.
I was so drawn in to the lead South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk had in the final 100 (and from lane eight!) of the men’s 400 final that I wasn’t watching the clock.
“I was totally blind on the outside lane. I’ve got a lot to brag about”. “I know only too well what it feels like to be bullied”, he said. Van Niekerk didn’t just beat defending champion LaShawn Merritt and Olympic gold medallist Kirani James on Sunday August 15 in the 400 metre final, he left them in the dust.
“That was some style he broke it in”, Johnson said of Van Niekerk, who made sprint history by becoming the first athlete to dip under benchmark times in the 100, 200 and 400m. “There’s no words. I know Michael Johnson’s not happy, though”.
According to commentary, van Niekerk’s win, which has exposed him to global sponsors, has put him in a good position to become one of the highest earning track and field athletes. “I’d love to race one day, when I’m big”. “I expect the moment that we start with training I want the focus and the dedication on the training”.
Botha didn’t exactly rule it out, saying “That secret I wouldn’t allow to come out”.
If times were the only criteria, Van Niekerk even stole the show from mighty Usain Bolt on Sunday.
“I would really like to compete against him over 300m that would be good”.
Van Niekerk admitted he had struggled with a hamstring niggle in the heats and semifinals, during which he had appeared stiff. James said that was his thought from the middle of the track, where he could see van Niekerk up ahead. “I was very excited but also humbled and also a little anxious”, Botha said, “because I knew this is a world-class athlete and there will be a really big responsibility on me to coach him and to bring him along”. I am just glad things went my way.
Asked whether he’d be annoyed at Bolt getting the headlines, the South African replied: “Not at all!” However, what should be noted is Niekerk’s age which is only 24 and to be the flag bearer at such a young age is a huge achievement for any athlete. Bolt criticised the quick turnaround in the timetable for his event after the semis for failing to go quicker in the final, and welcomed the daylong break between the 200m semi-final and medal race. “I have an opportunity to build my own legacy, my own journey and story”.
With 70 meters to go, Van Niekerk was able to maintain his sprint for home and despite the fact that they were both operating at sub 44 second speed, it appeared at times as if James and Merritt were both going backwards, a effect of Van Niekerk’s now legendary run.
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But just because you’re 6ft 6in, it doesn’t mean you can sprint like Usain Bolt.
