Van Niekerk, for his part, has a shorter distance in mind: the 200-meter. “They have to enjoy training; that’s very important”, she said.
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And Van Niekerk claimed it is possible, telling a media conference: “Achieving what I just did, I think the sky is the limit”. This year I was hoping I was in good shape and my coach told me they were going to put on a 300m. What I can remember is that I thought someone would catch me, it was quite lonely out there and I thought ‘what’s going on?’, but I kept on pushing and even dived a bit for the finish line.
The 100m gold medallist Donovan Bailey and the 200 and 400m victor Michael Johnson raced over 150m in the 1996 Olympics to determine who was fastest. The 24-year-old finished in 43.03 seconds, 0.15 quicker than the time Johnson clocked in Seville in 1999. He could very well have run negative splits, meaning that he ran faster in that second 200 than he ran in the first 200, which would make this even more wonderful. Well done to this youngster.
Usain Bolt has his sights set on a 300 metre race with 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk.
Van Niekerk would be equally excited that the captain of Liverpool, Jordan Henderson hailed him on Instagram. He could go under 43 seconds. “It is something I thought I could do, but never did”, said the American.
When Usain Bolt finally packs it in, track and field may just have found its next global star.
Van Niekerk admitted he was surprised to see nobody on his shoulder as he rounded the final bend and it was the absence of his rivals that powered him towards history.
“I’m really proud of him”, Bolt said.
Before and after nearly every race, the audience will see Bolt say a silent prayer or point to the sky.
“It’s Usain Bolt, the king of the 100 and 200”, Van Niekerk said. “At this moment I am just grateful for everything that happened tonight”, he said.
Van Niekerk, who hails from Cape Town, comes from a naturally athletic family, with his cousin Cheslin Kolbe representing the Stormers in Super Rugby.
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Van Niekerk, who won the 400 meters in an astonishing 43.03 seconds, is reported to be the first man to win the Olympic gold from lane 8.
