I can do a lot more – van Niekerk
OLYMPIC GOLD medal winner and world record holder in the 400m, South African Wayde van Niekerk, says he has a lot more to prove in the sport despite last year’s 43.03 run at the Olympic Games.
Van Niekerk, who is set to return to the island for the June 10 Jamaica National Racers Grand Prix set for the National Stadium, also told the IAAF’s Inside Athletics that he wants to pay more attention to the 200m, which he described as his real love.
“At the age of 24, achieving a record that’s been there forever, I feel like I still have so much more to prove,” said van Niekerk. “This is the beginning of so much more that I can do as an athlete, so why not believe?”
“The 200m is my favourite event. It’s why I do track and field, because I want to achieve so much in the 200, but due to circumstances and injuries, I didn’t get the opportunity to get into that door,” van Niekerk added.
MORE OPPORTUNITY
“But now that I achieved what I have in the 400m, it gives me more opportunity to focus on the 200m and even the 100m. I really enjoy doing both.”
The 24 year-old, who also won 400m gold at the World Championships in 2015 has already been busy this season, running 10.10 in the 100m at a small meet in South Africa.
“Where I come from, South Africa, you always think United States, Jamaica or Europe. That’s where you need to make it and where you can start breaking barriers,” said van Niekerk.
“That’s become a kind of habit in South Africa, where once you finish with school, you go over to the USA.
“I always had something deep inside of me telling me ‘you can do it right here in South Africa’ and inspire more South Africans to do it.”