Award-winning

Proving to be the epitome of perseverance ‘Tannie’ Ans Botha, will be honoured at the IAAF’s annual awards evening in Monaco on November 24, less than a month before her 76th birthday.

Botha has been elevated to international stardom over the last few years thanks to her work as a coach to world 400m record-holder and Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk.

“It is, of course, an incredible honour and I am so grateful to receive this kind of accolade at this stage of my life,” Botha said, confirming that she will be receiving an award.

“I am humbled to be able to receive something like this; there is a lot of emotion involved with this kind of announcement.”

Botha has been working with the South African wunderkind since 2012, with Van Niekerk reaching unprecedented heights in global athletics.

She has been the architect behind his success which includes double world 400m titles, an Olympic gold medal, and the world record in the one-lap sprint.

The 75-year-old said she would not have been able to reach the pinnacle of the sport without a sense of perseverance and patience.

“With athletics, you always have to keep your focus on the long-term as there are many low points along the way,” Botha said.