Wayde Van Niekerk is not promising South Africans an Olympic medal in Paris

Van Niekerk made history at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, clocking a blistering 43.03 seconds and surpassing the previous record set by the legendary Michael Johnson in 1999.

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His victory over Kirani James of Granada, the Olympic champion of London 2012, put him on top of the world.

Despite his early success, Van Niekerk has faced challenges following a knee injury sustained during a charity touch rugby match in May 202, which resulted in significant damage to his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament.

As a two-time world champion in the 400m, he is navigating a path to his peak performance level while managing expectations.

During the World Senior Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last year, Van Niekerk advanced to the 400m final, ultimately clinching seventh place.

At the recent Athletics South Africa (ASA) Senior Track and Field Championships held in Pietermaritzburg, Van Niekerk, already qualified for the 400m event in the Olympics, was stunned by young talent Benjamin Richardson, who sprinted to a time of 20.15 seconds, surpassing Van Niekerk’s 20.31 seconds.

Reflecting on the experience with SABC Sport, Van Niekerk, now back at his base in the USA, refrains from making any promises regarding a medal in Paris.

“I’ve learned from past mistakes and don’t want to repeat them by putting unnecessary pressure on myself. While I have faced challenges in recent years, including a long-term injury, I’m now relishing my return to the track. I will participate in several Diamond League events and smaller meets to prepare for the Olympics. However, my primary focus is enjoying the experience rather than concentrating only on my performance,” he revealed during an interview with the national broadcaster.

During the last Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, Van Niekerk fell short of reaching the final. However, he is gradually regaining his form.