Paris 2024 athletics: South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk into 200m semi-finals
South Africa’s 400m world record-holder Wayde van Niekerk is into the men’s 200m semi-finals at Paris 2024 on Monday (5 August).
The 32-year-old Van Niekerk took a step closer to reaching his first Olympic final since his record-breaking run in Rio 2016 to win the 400m gold medal. He failed to make it into the 400m final three years ago in Tokyo 2020, ultimately conceding his crown.
Van Niekerk, who showed no emotions when introduced at the start of the race in Paris, finished third clocking 20.42 seconds with Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia winning the heat in 20.20s.
Van Niekerk surprised all and sundry by withdrawing from the 400m to instead focus on the half-lap sprint event and the men’s 4x400m relays in Paris.
The former world silver medallist over the 200m came into the Games with a season’s best time of 20.29 seconds after beating compatriot Akani Simbine to the line at a meeting in Spain in June.
Van Niekerk also raced the 200m at the South African championships, finishing second in the final behind rising star Benjamin Richardson.
The two-time 400m world champion started as a promising 200m athlete winning his first national crown in 2011 when he was just 18 years old. The year before he made his international debut at the 2010 World Junior Championships in Canada, where he finished fourth in the 200m.
Van Niekerk shifted his focus to the one-lap event after persistent injuries nearly derailed his burgeoning career, ultimately leading to his record-breaking run between 2015 and 2017.
“It was a good initial run out of the bend but I know there is still a bit of work that needs to be done in the latter stages of the race,” Van Niekerk said after the race.
“We will shake that off and try again in the next round.
“It is a bit rusty out of the first round but I know I can do better.”