Cape Town - Wayde van Niekerk “conquered and is now a legend”, according to Caster Semenya, who is about to launch her own bid for a gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Semenya took to Facebook on Tuesday to extend her well wishes to Van Niekerk, long jump silver medallist Luvo Manyonga and a number of other South African athletes who excelled in Rio.
The 25-year-old middle-distance star will begin her attempt to go all the way in her second Olympic Games on Wednesday in the first round of the 800m at 3.55pm SA time. The semi-final takes place on Thursday night (Friday morning 2.15am SA time), with the final scheduled for Saturday night (Sunday morning 2.15am SA time).
Semenya is the red-hot favourite for the gold medal, having set a new South African record of 1:55.33 at the Monaco Diamond League on July 15 that is the fastest time in the world this year, while she is unbeaten in 2016.
But having won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, she won’t be taking anything for granted as anything can happen in the pressure-filled atmosphere of the Olympic Stadium.
Before she gets on to the track herself, though, she expressed her delight with the performances of her athletics teammates. “Wayde Van Niekerk on his World Record. You came, you conquered and now you a legend. Who would have thought that a South African would ever hold the 400m Men WR??? Congrats man,” said the 2009 world champion.
“Luvo Manyonga, great Long Jump display, congrats on your PB as well.
“My dear friend Akani Simbine, you’ve managed to break the ice for the SA sprinters and finished 5th in the 100m final, you a legend in the making, can’t wait to see you in the upcoming seasons.
“Ruswahl Samaai, you might have not medalled but you still a true champion, you did your best to represent SA. Speedy recovery and all the best for the future.”
But Semenya also acknowledged Team South Africa’s five medallists from the other sports – Cameron van der Burgh (silver in swimming), Chad le Clos (two silvers in swimming), Lawrence Brittain and Shaun Keeling (silver in rowing) and the Blitzboks sevens rugby team (bronze).
“Cameron Van der Burgh, you fought a great race and you managed to obtain a silver medal. Congrats. Chad le Clos, though things may have not went as planned, you still kept your head up and fought all the way to obtain a silver medal, you the most decorated athlete in the history of RSA sports. Congrats,” said Semenya.
“To the RSA 7s Rugby and Rowing team... You guys showed a great display of teamwork.
“All you guys made RSA proud. The pride of Africa! Children of a great nation ?#?UnlimitedCobra ?#?TeamRSArise”
Now the nation awaits Semenya, hoping that she can make us proud too.