Just as well that there were no spectators in the Tokyo Stadium when Wayde van Niekerk ran in his 400m semi-final. Because the experience was painful enough and the Olympic champion and world record holder didn’t need a capacity 50 000 people watching him crash out of the Games in the manner that he did.
Getting beaten is one thing, but the manner in which Van Niekerk struggled in the last 80 metres, treading wet cement as he laboured to a 45.14sec fifth-place finish behind Steven Gardiner in the third semi-final was one of those “wish I wasn’t there moments”.
The man who lit up the 2016 Rio Games with a 43.03 world record and gold medal performance has been a pale shadow of the athlete who was tipped to take over Usain Bolt’s mantle as the king of the track. Those who point to a knee injury suffered in 2017 as being career-ending will have more oxygen for which to air their views.
Admittedly, this didn’t look good. It was painful to watch and it was sure painful for Van Niekerk to go through. To the naked eye it looked as though he knew his fate at least 60 metres from the finishing line. Racing in lane eight he had held his own through the first 300m, but coming off the home turn things started to unravel.
Remember the devastating finishing kick he delivered in winning gold at Rio 2016? That was nowhere to be seen on another muggy night in Tokyo. What was going through his mind in the last 50 metres of the race only he will truly know. The first two finishers from the race automatically qualified for the final, as did the two next fastest finishers overall.
Van Niekerk knew a long way out that he wouldn’t be in contention. As did those watching.
The comedians will ask where does Wayde van Niekerk go to from here? Even the comedians are wrong with this one. They’d argue it’s to the airport but that’s not the case as he has still has a commitment to the 4x400m relay team.
But the worst thing imaginable would be to ask him to run a race where he is not fully fit. For in such a situation there are no winners.
Photo: Anton Geyser
