Wayde wishes he could give his medal to Isaac
DOMINE, DIRIGE NOS. Lord, guide us, reads the English translation of the Latin motto for the City of London but is also similar to the prayer Wayde van Niekerk said before racing to his second world 400m title in the English capital.
As part of his pre-race routine, Van Niekerk goes down one knee, praying he and the rest of the field finish in one piece.
Van Niekerk and his fellow finalists safely navigated their way over the line in Tuesday’s one-lap final as he became only the second South African after Hestrie Cloete’s high-jump double in 2001 and 2003 to defend a world title.
“I’m just glad things worked out for us before the race, it is one thing believing you can get the gold medal and it is a different thing actually going out there and producing it,” Van Niekerk said. “I knew it was never going to be a walk in the park.
“Especially in the 400 metres now, it is a day by day competition and anyone can come up with any result on the day so I am just so grateful that I can say I came through with the gold yet again.”
One of the most anticipated races at the biennial showpiece came to an almost anti-climactic finish as the South African won the title in almost a canter, crossing the line in a time of 43.98 seconds.
There was no wow-moment, no excitement as the South African gave the packed Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium a muted celebration.
Taking his foot off the gas over the final 30 metres, Van Niekerk was followed by Bahamian athlete Steven Gardiner in silver clocking 44.41 with Qatar’s Abdalelah Haroun finishing third in 44.48.
The empty lane to Van Niekerk may have had something to do with the lack of excitement in a race that only two years ago sparked a frenzy over the rise of one of the world’s newest superstars.
That seventh lane belonged to Botswana star Isaac Makwala, who was controversially denied entry to the stadium after he was placed under 48 hours quarantine following a confirmed outbreak of norovirus among athletes at the championships.
The IAAF initially withdrew Makwala from Monday’s 200m heats after he was diagnosed with an infectious disease relating to an outbreak of acute gastro-enteritis at the Tower Hotel where he was staying.
Makwala came to the stadium on Tuesday insisting he was fit to compete but IAAF officials blocked him from entering.
The athlete was tipped to be Van Niekerk’s biggest rival, targeting his own 200-400m double boasting the fastest 200m and second best 400m time in the world this year.
Asked about Makwala’s absence from the race, the ever-diplomatic Van Niekerk expressed his sympathy to his Southern African neighbour. “It was definitely a heartbreaking moment, it is now two good competitors this year both Kirani James and Isaac having to withdraw through illnesses. I would have loved for him to have his opportunity. I believe he would have done very well. I’ve got so much sympathy for him and I wish that I could even give him my medal but this is sports, these things happen and each one of us needs to go out and fight for our opportunities.”