Bolt tips Van Niekerk to take over the baton from him

The fastest man on planet earth has backed South African Wayde van Niekerk to take over as the next best headline act of international athletics

Speaking at a press conference in London organised by his sponsor‚ Puma‚ Usain Bolt spoke warmly about Van Niekerk.

When asked who might replace him as the main global athletics superstar‚ Bolt‚ who is retiring after the London championships‚ said: “I think Wayde is doing a pretty good job.

“Wayde van Nie‚ van Niekerk‚” he said‚ briefly stumbling over the 400m world record-holder’s surname.

“He’s now going to run the 200m so for me that’s going to be exciting.

“I think he wants to be a sprinter really bad so I think he’s one of the persons to watch out for.

“I think he’s going to be a really good athlete and I’m pretty cool with him and he’s a really nice guy and he’s really chilled.

“He just has a really enclosed personality.”

 London will be hosting the IAAF and IPC 2017 World Championships from the 4th to the 13th August 2017. This is the English capital’s biggest sport event since the 2012 Olympics.