South African star track runner Wayde van Niekerk will not be representing the country at next week’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Photo: Team SA (ASA)
Wayde van Niekerk withdraws from SA Champs at 11th hour
Wayde Van Niekerk has withdrawn from the South African National Senior Track and Field Championships set to start today.
South African star track runner Wayde van Niekerk will not be representing the country at next week’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Photo: Team SA (ASA)
Former Olympic 400 metre champion Wayde Van Niekerk has withdrawn from the South African National Senior Track and Field Championships.
The Championships are set to get underway at the Green Point Athletics Stadium on Thursday.
Van Niekerk intimated that his preparation had not been ideal which caused him to pull out.
Wayde van Niekerk withdraws from SA Champs
The 400 metre world record holder was planning on representing Boland North in the 200 metre sprint.
Van Niekerk sent Athletics South Africa (ASA) a voice note informing them of his withdrawal.
The athlete expresses his disappointment knowing that many of those who bought tickets to the Championships had done so with the hope of seeing him run.
“Hi guys, Wayde here. I just want to take a moment to express my disappointment for having to withdraw from the national championships.this week,” Wayde van Niekerk said.
“I was really excited and looking forward to compete (sic) this weekend but unfortunately things have not been going my way the last few weeks.
“But my spirit is definitely still high and I am still going to keep on putting in the hard work and hopefully I can be back on the track and show you the hard work I’ve put out there.
“But for now I’ll just get back to work and keep doing what needs to be done.
“Thank you for the love and support this far I am looking forward to the rest of the season. God bless.”
It is unclear if van Niekerk will ever reach the levels he did when he broke Michael Johnson’s long-standing one-lap record.
He endured a dismal defence of his Rio title in Tokyo last year.
The athlete himself is hopeful that he can compete on the global stage.
Aside from regular Diamond League events the IAAF World Championships and the Commonwealth Games are both set to take place later this year.
