Wayde fighting for his sport

JOHANNESBURG: Winning an Olympic gold medal in a world record time has already placed South Africa firmly on the international athletics map, but Wayde van Niekerk and the new generation of athletes are looking to change the face of the sport in the country.

Van Niekerk are among the local athletes who started a social media campaign to sell out McArthur Athletics Stadium at next month’s SA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom.

The #FillUpPotch campaign has created buzz on social media with athletes creating hype around the national championships from 21 to 22 April .

“It is not an overnight thing, if you look at the performances of the guys, we are fighting for our sport, we want to change the image of athletics in South Africa,” Van Niekerk said.

“We single-handedly get our sport to the top because we’ve got, not only great local but world-class athletes.

“Instead of waiting for these things to come our way we are going out there and fighting for it it, and that is why so many guys are performing so well and are doing such great things not just locally but internationally as well.”

Van Niekerk received another feather in his cap yesterday when he was selected to represent Discovery Vitality on a global scale.

The 24-year-old joins a host of other international Discovery Vitality Ambassadors; including compatriot and Olympic swimming gold medallist Chad le Clos, British track and field athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and world No 1 Angelique Kerber.

“The health of South Africans, and especially our children, is very close to my heart,” Van Niekerk admitted.

“If I can make only one person more aware of the benefits of leading an active and healthy lifestyle, I would have made a big difference.”