Best wishes for SA relay teams

Over the past decade, South Africa has experienced a revolution in sprinting, with our top performers elevating themselves from also-rans on the global stage to world-beaters.

The likes of Akani Simbine and Wayde van Niekerk have changed the game at domestic level, but just how far we’ve come as a nation in terms of both quality and depth was on full display at the weekend.

Competing at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, the SA men’s 4x100m and 4x400m teams were among the favourites for podium places… and both squads delivered, winning gold medals.

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Perhaps most promising, however, was the performance of the national women’s 4x400m team, who took nearly four seconds off the SA record to secure a surprise bronze medal.

As well as the country’s top men have done in recent years, we’re waiting for the women to catch up and this was an indication that they’re on the right track.

At the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September, the SA relay teams will need to take another step up against the international elite if they want to repeat their medal-winning performances.

However, based on the progress we’ve seen in recent years, we wouldn’t bet against them. Onwards and upwards!

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