Van Niekerk marked himself as the leading contender for Rio when he led home Merritt and James with an exceptional run to win gold at last year’s world championships in Beijing, where the podium again all ran under 44 seconds. 2012 Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada won silver in 43.76, with 2008 champion LaShawn Merritt of the United States of America third in 43.85, the first time the top three had run under 44 seconds in the one-lap Olympic final.
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The nature of his performance left Johnson and many other observers stunned and announced Van Niekerk as the potential successor to Usain Bolt as the biggest name in athletics.
Van Niekerk ran it in 43.03 seconds, shattering Michael Johnson’s previous record from 1999.
It was the oldest standing men’s sprint record – Bolt owns the 100 and 200 metres marks, – and one many thought might never be broken.
And while she has been largely responsible with unlocking van Niekerk’s extraordinary potential, Botha’s association with the sprinting phenom – which began in 2012 – has also presented her with unprecedented opportunities.
‘Oh my God. From lane eight, a world record, ‘ said a clearly shocked Johnson on the BBC.
‘When I looked at Wayde van Niekerk this year, before he even broke the record, I thought this is a guy who has talent at 100m, 200m and 400m.
‘That will really help him to emerge as the next star of this sport. He seems like a guy who could fill those shoes.
Van Niekerk said he had spent time with seven-time Olympic gold-medallist Bolt in Jamaica earlier this year.
Van Niekerk brushed off an initial question about doping but was pushed further on the subject.
After falling 1-0 behind to Theo Walcott’s goal, Jurgen Klopp’s side stormed into a stadium-silencing 4-1 lead, which will have calmed van Niekerk’s nerves somewhat – for the meantime at least.
“Achieving what I did just now, the sky’s the limit”, he said.
‘Last year he was dead at this point, he couldn’t even get up off the ground’. “As I got to the finish line, I was expecting one of them to catch me”.
“I don’t think any athlete wants to be in lane eight but I figured it (has) advantages as well as disadvantages”, he said.
“I’m really grateful I can go on the track and say my coach has pushed me to reach every level and believe anything is possible”.
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“I am still a bit amazed and I still have to pinch myself about what just happened”.
