Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - Despite world 400-metre champion Wayde van Niekerk being a hot-favourite to claim a gold medal at the Rio Olympics, the South African one-lap specialist is cautiously optimistic in his approach writes Mark Etheridge.
“I'll be happy with whatever comes my way, I'm grateful. This is a new competition but I'll put my best foot forward we don't know what time will win but I hope the time I run is the winning time,” said Van Niekerk on Tuesday.
“At the moment I'm keeping it quite simple. I'm a very laid back person and relaxed and I just need to relax and chill and watch movies. I don't do anything out of the ordinary but it's the Olympics and something major and another opportunity to go out there and achieve something in my career. So I'm taking it seriously when it comes to my event. Afterwards I'll get to know Brazil.”
Being the reigning World Champion in the men's 400m, was not by any means a burden said Van Niekerk. “Is there ever less pressure in sport? I mean there's always pressure whether you like it or not. Going into SA's I'll have pressure, it's always there, always part of the game. It's why we do what we do, it's there whether you like it or not it . But I'm quite calm and relaxed although now and then the nerves and stresses kick in.”
The 24-year-old has brought out a large group of family members and friends to support his challenge for Olympic gold. “I made sure I sorted eight of my family members out but now I hear there are 10 coming.. they made sure they joined the trip. It's amazing having my family here. If I have to think about it a few years ago, even last year, we couldn't afford it and now I have 10. How amazing that they can join this journey with me and the experience. As a youngster you always want to make family and friends proud so when I get to that finish line I'm going to them first whatever happens.”
With a personal best of 43.48 seconds he ran at the Beijing World Championships last year where he won gold, another sub-44 race would likely be needed to win first place in Rio the athlete explained.
“It's a tough, classy field and the guys are looking sharp. Obviously a sub-44, it's been shown every year that a sub 44 is what will take it. There are about four/five guys who've done it this far. So it's going to be tough but hopefully I'll be there with them.”
“At first I had that as a goal, sub-44 this season but I'll leave it in the Lord's hand sand I'm sure that sub will come again. I've done it once before and it shouldn't be a problem to do again. So I'm waiting for the perfect day, perfect health and it will happen.” - African News Agency (ANA)