Olympic legend Carl Lewis praises SA’s 4x100m relay team

In an interview with SABC Sport, the American legend said he felt it was South Africa’s moment to shine on the international stage. After the race, he celebrated enthusiastically, congratulating Maswanganyi and his teammates Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, and Bayanda Walaza.

He revealed that he has always been a supporter of South Africa and felt their joy deeply. Lewis assisted them during their preparation stages and played a key role in them securing the silver medal.

"I have been able to work with the coach and athletes a little bit because obviously, I work with Shaun, so I'm excited for them. I texted Shaun today and I knew they'll get a medal and to get that silver, they had a shot at the gold but to get that silver was just incredible,” Lewis said.

“It's a great team, a great programme and of course the relationship we have with South Africa is tremendous and we look forward to having more athletes come and benefit from what Shaun has and hope I can do anything I can to help the programme win, now and in the future.

“I love people to follow Shaun because he's absolutely a perfect teammate, perfect, student, he graduated in four years with Honours and we couldn't have had a better person. We're family now and the thing is we have a big tank, we wanna help people and I'm just so happy I could help him get that silver."

READ: Teenagers Bradley Nkoana and Bayanda Walaza shine in their Olympic debut

Maswanganyi withdrew from the African Senior Championships in Cameroon and did not compete in any events in the eight weeks leading up to the Olympic Games. Nevertheless, Lewis was pleased with how he performed on the big stage, reaching the semi-finals in both the 100m and 200m events and winning a silver medal in the relay despite having few races leading up to the competition.

"Well, we thought about that but I thought, you know what just stay home and I know he went to South Africa for a while but he didn't compete but I thought this time instead of travelling around like he had in the past, let's just stay home and prepare and he did, he ran well here.

“He didn't run his best in the 200m but he ran well in the 100m and of course ran a great leg in the relay and it's just a matter of doing something a little different and I think it works out to give them a break before they compete."