Van Niekerk eyes double after 400 win
LONDON: South African star Way devan Ni e kerk is halfway to his target of the 400 metres and 200 m world double after ea sing to victory in the former.
The 25- year-old’ st ask of landing both eased considerably with main rival Isaac Ma kw ala of Botswana barred from running by the sport’s governing body because he had been diagnosed with the highly contagious norovirus on Tuesday.
It didn’t prevent the 30-yearold from turning up at the warm-up track only to be turned away. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IA AF) said he should be in quarantine and not near the track.
“It was definitely a heartbreaking moment ,” Van Ni e kerk said. “I havea lot of sympathy for Isaac. It is quite disappointing. I would have liked him to have his opportunity. But this is sports, these things happen.”
Van Niekerk added that the double was not a given. “It’s easier said than done,” he said. “It’s competition, it’ s very unpredictable. My body still feels very good. It took me a while to recover tonight. But from endurance I go straight to speed tomorrow... It’s a day-by-day, step-by-step process for us athletes.”
BOSSE’S THE BOSS
Botswana suffered further disappointment as 800 mr ace favourite Nijel Amos--second on the same track in the 2012 Olympic final -faded to finish fifth with Frenchman Pierre-Am br oise Boss et akin ga deserved gold for a bold and brave performance which he revealed afterwards reflected his love of gambling.
“Ia ma gambler, I love going to the casino,” said Bosse. “And today I just gambled, I put everything on the red, even my last Euro. So hopefully, this is also for luck in love.”
However, for his compatriot Renaud La ville ni eh is world gold drought continued even in the stadium where he won Olympic gold in 2012. The French man had to settle for bronze -- his fifth minor medal in the world championships -- with American Sam Kendricks taking the title in front of his parents and girlfriend to boot.
KIPRUTO WINS STEEPLE
Conselsus Kipruto maintained Kenya’s fine record in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase winning in cheeky style from Morocco’s Soufiane El bakkali with longtime leader Evan Jager of the United States third.
Kipruto appeared to be under pressure from E lb akk ali going to the last obstacle but once over it the Olympic champion cupped his hand to his ear and pounded his chest. “I used my plans well and last night for morale I told myself :‘ I am Olympic champion and that others must break me ’,” said Kipruto.