Wayde: third time lucky?

After being overlooked a couple of times in the last year, sprinter Wayde van Niekerk (pictured) will be eager for some recognition at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Awards in Monaco tonight.

Van Niekerk, who had been named alongside Luvo Manyonga and Caster Semenya, was shortlisted as one of three finalists for the men’s World Athlete-of-theYear accolade.

He missed out last year to Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, and he lost out again to world long jump champion Manyonga at the SA Sports Awards earlier this month.

The Bloemfontein speedster was up against British distance runner Mo Farah, who earned 10 000m gold and 5 000m silver at the World Championships in London in August, and high jump world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar.

Farah also broke the European indoor 5 000m record this season, and while Barshim did not extend any barriers, both athletes earned the Diamond League series titles.

Van Niekerk, meanwhile, successfully defended his global 400m title and snatched the silver medal in the 200m final, crossing the line just 0.02 shy of a historic double.

His campaign included a 300m world best of 30.81 in Ostrava in June, while his 100m personal best of 9.94, his 200m national record of 19.84 and his 400m season lead of 43.62 also wrapped up a unique feat as he became the first man to run sub-10, sub-20 and sub-44 seconds in the same year.

Though he was the favourite for the Diamond League crown over the onelap distance, Van Niekerk withdrew from the final with a back niggle.

Should he win, he will become the first South African since high jumper Hestrie Cloete in 2003 to be named World Athlete-of-the-Year.