Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Upset to miss the showdown
SOUTH Africa sprint star Way d e va n N i e k e r k stormed to 400 metres gold at t h e Wo r l d Championship — but admitted he was very disappointed to be controversially denied a showdown against Isaac Makwala.
The 25-year-old defended his title in 43.98 seconds, finishing ahead of Steven Gardiner and Abdalelah Haroun.
However, he did not face Botswana’s Makwala, a leading challenger, after he was denied entry to the London Stadium despite insisting he was fit after an outbreak of the norovirus bug (see main story).
The 30-year-old, who was also pulled out of the 200 metre heats on Monday, was withdrawn by organisers the IAAF “due to a medical condition” while Botswana insisted they were given no reason for Makwala being denied entry.
“It depends whose fault it was,” said Van Niekerk when asked what he would have done. “There’s a lot of fingers being pointed. I just know he’s ill and in a different hotel than I’m in.
“I would have loved him to have the opportunity. He was in great form, I believe he would have done very well. I have so much sympathy for him.
“I wish I could give him my medal but it’s sport and these things happen.
“It could have been any one of us. It’s a journey and life, we all have tough times and we have to get back up and fight harder.
“It was a definitely a heartbreaking moment. I saw him just before the 200 metres heat and the only thing I could think of was wrapping my arms around him and telling him to get well soon.”