South African Wayde Van Niekerk stole the Olympic spotlight with a phenomenal men’s 400m victory at Rio 2016 on Sunday, setting a new world record in the event and earning his country’s first Olympic gold medal at the competition.
The 24-year-old was thrilled with his accomplishment, as he managed to break the 17-year record held by American Michael Johnson with a time of 43.03 seconds in the one-lap race.
Johnson’s world record of 43.18 seconds and the 1996 Olympic record of 43.49 fell at the feet of the young South African, who had retained a steady pace in the first round and semi-final races before upping a gear and storming to victory when it mattered most.
The gold medal is Team South Africa’s first of the Games, with five silvers and a bronze bringing the country’s medal tally thus far to seven.
Van Niekerk reacted to the victory in his typically humble manner, when speaking to the media immediately after winning the 400m race.
“I still can’t think what happened in my race. I literally need to go back and watch the race before I can comment on it. At the moment I’m just very grateful for everything that’s happened tonight,” Van Niekerk said, according to SuperSport.
“As I got to the finish line I was expecting one of them to catch me and as I crossed the finish line I looked left and I saw – but there’s no-one. I’m still a bit amazed. I still have to pinch myself at what happened,” the world champion added.
Van Niekerk would later thank South African fans, who have supported him throughout the competition and in his preparations for Rio 2016.
“I had no pressure, that’s how amazing each and every one was in South Africa in supporting me. I’d go into any social media, they will say Wayde and gold. I mean my whole country helped me believe in myself and I’m so grateful to each and every one that supported me,” he said, according to EWN.
“Just having my whole family here meant the world to me tonight. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and that they were here live to witness it today,” he added.
Sprint legend and 100m gold medallist Usain Bolt was quick to personally congratulate Van Niekerk on the incredible achievement, having trained with him in Jamaica a few months ago.
“It was brilliant. From lane eight, the way he runs, I knew he was going to be brilliant. When he was training in Jamaica my coach said he’s probably the only guy in the world right now who can break this 400m world record,” Bolt told the media at a press conference, FoxSports reported.
“He’s got speed and strength and he came out here and proved him right. “I’m very happy for him. I’m really proud of him. He did extremely well,” he said.
Former record holder Johnson was working as a television analyst for the BBC while watching Van Niekerk break his record, and his live reaction revealed the South African’s stunning triumph.
“Oh my God! From lane eight, a world record. He took it out so quick. I have never seen anything from 200 to 400 like that,” exclaimed the former Olympian.
After the race the former American athlete took to Twitter to congratulate the South African.
“Congratulations @Wayde Dreamer (Van Niekerk’s official Twitter handle) to you and your coach! Well done and deserved. Olympic Gold and World record. I know the feeling! #Rio2016,” Johnson tweeted.
