Van Niekerk is confident for world championships
MIDRAND – T-Systems hosted Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk to celebrate his sponsorship renewal.
Telecommunications company T-Systems renewed their sponsorship of South Africa 400m Olympic champion and record holder Wayde van Niekerk on 28 February.
The event, which took place at the company’s Midrand headquarters, followed Van Niekerk’s triumphant return to the Free State Championship on 23 February. Van Niekerk won with a time of 00:47:28. It was his first race since he sustained an injury to his right knee at a celebrity touch rugby match at Newlands Stadium in late 2017 which forced him to miss out on the Commonwealth Games last year in Australia.
He said, “You regret any injury that comes your way. And it’s definitely something that dwelled on me for months and something that I had to overcome… My reality is what it is and I have to come back stronger. I can’t carry extra baggage when I want to come back as strong as I envision.”
Van Niekerk said that though the competition was a training run, it helped him get the mental comfort to stand and compete against other competitors.
“I was trying to find my feet and momentum again. And once I got that momentum it really gave me confidence that I can stay in it for an entire 400m. It really sparked focus.”
Manager director of T-Systems Dineo Molefe welcomed the Olympic champion’s renewal. Van Niekerk said the event motivated him during the Olympics and the company has been there with him during his injury.
Van Niekerk has high hopes of competing in the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha and said he has worked too hard to not be there.
He also expressed support for fellow South African athlete Caster Semenya in her fight against International Associations of Athletics Federations rules on testosterone levels. “Caster is super strong… She is standing for something powerful. She is standing for women to have equal rights and all we can do as South Africans from this side is to fully support her.”
