Wayde is preparing to put on a great show at the world champs

JOHANNESBURG: After racing to a season’s best in his previous race at the beginning of the month, Wayde van Niekerk dropped a hint that he might produce something special at tonight’s Monaco Diamond League meeting.

Considering Van Niekerk posted the third fastest time of his career of 43.62 seconds in Lausanne, it would not be an outlandish thought that he could come close to his world record of 43.03.

“I will have one more competition before (next month’s world championships in) London… there I want to put on a show and aim for a great time,” he said.

On the eve of the Monaco race, Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt paid Van Niekerk a huge compliment, saying he regretted not racing the South African as he draws the curtain on his career.

Van Niekerk is seen as the heir apparent to Bolt’s soonto-be vacant crown showing incredible speed over all three official sprint distances.

“I think that’s one of the most disappointing things in my career now, that he came along at this late stage, that I didn’t get to compete against him because I think he’s one of the best, hands down, right now,” Bolt said.

With Bolt opting out of the 200m at the global showpiece, Van Niekerk is seen as one of the strong contenders to add the half-lap sprint gold to his 400m title from two years ago.

Van Niekerk will be racing the 200/400 double in London and will be looking to follow in Michael Johnson’s footsteps to claim both titles at the same championships.

Asked the recurring question whether he was the man to fill Bolt’s shoes once the Jamaican has retired, Van Niekerk said he still had some way to go.

“It is a massive responsibility as an athlete and I still have quite a long way to go before I can even get close to the heights Usain has reached,” he said on Thursday.

“We have to honour him for what he has achieved and I still have a lot of years to go before I can say I’ve filled his shoes. It is for me to keep on doing what I am doing, then hopefully I can reach the heights he has and come close to the times he has run.”

Meanwhile, Olympic 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya will be looking to make a strong statement in her final race before London.

She continues to be the dominant force in the twolap event, topping the world rankings with a season’s best of 1:56.61 from Doha in May.

The South African will be looking to extend her streak in the 800m to 18 victories dating back to September 2015.