BEIJING, CHINA – AUGUST 23: Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa looks on after the Men’s 400 metres heats during day two of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 23, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Michael Johnson: Wayde van Niekerk is the new Usain Bolt
Van Niekerk has a bright future ahead.
BEIJING, CHINA – AUGUST 23: Wayde Van Niekerk of South Africa looks on after the Men’s 400 metres heats during day two of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 at Beijing National Stadium on August 23, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Wayde van Niekerk might have absolutely smashed Michael Johnson’s 17-year old record in the 400m when he won gold for South Africa on Monday morning, but Johnson has nothing but praise for the youngster.
Johnson was commentating for the BBC during the race and while he was stunned, had only praise for the 25-year old sprinter.
“Oh my God. From lane eight, a world record,” Johnson exclaimed on the BBC. “He took it out so quick and I’ve never seen anything like that from 200 to 400.”
“He took it out so quick and I’ve never seen anything like that from 200 to 400.”
Van Niekerk has been an emerging talent in athletics for a few years now and it could not come at a better time for the sport. With legend Usain Bolt set to retire soon, athletics needs a new poster boy and Johnson believe Van Niekerk could be that person.
“When I looked at Wayde van Niekerk this year, before he even broke the record, I thought this is a guy who has talent at 100m, 200m and 400m.
“Van Niekerk has broken the record at 400m, let’s see some 200m from him at championship level.
“That will really help him to emerge as the next star of this sport. He seems like a guy who could fill those shoes.
“He’s a great guy people will love and really rally around.”
