A heartbroken Wayde Van Niekerk refuses to give up

The 32-year-old found it hard to explain what went wrong, struggling to articulate his feelings about the performance. Despite this setback, van Niekerk emphasised that he is not planning to retire and intends to compete in more events in the future.

READ: SAFA President unpacks what the renewed partnership with the SABC entails

''I don't know. I'm putting in the work everyday so it was impossible when I got there, and it feels impossible right now. But, I am never closing my mind towards the future, I am a man of faith. I am always optimistic regarding opportunities ahead of me,'' said Van Niekerk.

With the 4x400m relay event kicking off on Friday, there’s hardly any time to dwell on the disappointment of falling short in the semi-finals. Nevertheless, Van Niekerk requires a bit more time to process everything. He needs to clear his mind and rest to fully reflect on the events that have transpired.

''I said it would always be a priority, it was my biggest motive. I obviously would want to contribute but at the same time it is about what the team needs best. But I am going to need a few days to get myself right,'' added Van Niekerk.

Regarding his performance, Van Niekerk stated that he doesn’t want to offer any excuses. Instead, he prefers to wait and see what the future holds for him on the track.

''I don't have much to say, I am not someone with excuses, just need to accept what happened and see what the future holds,'' he concluded.

Van Niekerk expressed his dissatisfaction with himself, stating that he is accustomed to winning and competing for medals, not merely participating.