Van Niekerk out of Tokyo 2020
The great South African hope Wayde van Niekerk failed to
qualify for the men’s 400m final at Tokyo 2020 earlier today when he finished
fifth in his semi-final.
It’s been a difficult build-up to the Games after Van Niekerk blitzed the world in 2016 in Rio to win the Olympic title in world record time but a long-term injury, a set back and Covid-19 have been stumbling blocks for the star.
A celebrity match of touch rugby turned into a nightmare for the 29 year-old who sustained a serious knee injury in 2017 that kept him out of action for close to two years but he’s had a hip issue and a back problem that has forced him to withdraw from races this year.
"I'm obviously very disappointed with my run because I expected a lot more from myself," Van Niekerk said after the race.
"It obviously didn't work out the way I would have liked it to but it is what it is and we move forward from here."
The South African hero only managed to finish as the twelfth fastest in the semi-finals which saw 2021 Olympic gold medallist Kirani James produce the run of the day.
He won his semi-final, while current world champion around the one lap race Steven Gardiner has also qualified for the final.
