After a long athletics layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes can finally return to competitive action tomorrow (Tuesday, 3 November) at the highly anticipated Athletics Central North West (ACNW) Open Track and Field meeting at the NWU McArthur Stadium. One major coup for this athletics event is that Olympic 400m gold medalist, Wayde van Niekerk, will race for the first time since his comeback at this event in Potchefstroom. Van Niekerk confirmed this on his Facebook page today.
“With me not being fully satisfied with my comeback this year due to me being diagnosed with Covid-19 and not being able to participate in the races I would’ve like to, I’m grateful to Athletics Central Northwest for hosting an event for athletes to compete competitively again.” “I am looking forward to competing tomorrow evening in the 400m event and excited to see how my body feels again in a race situation.”
“This will give me a great indication to see where I am at in my training and what needs to be done to get into a positive momentum physically and mentally towards 2021,” he stated in the post. Van Niekerk is set to run out the blocks at 17:30 tomorrow. Apart from Van Niekerk, a number of other talented athletes from the ACNW and surrounding provinces will also look to test their skills in the competitive arena. The action starts at 16:00 and finishes at 20:30.
No spectators are allowed at the event with only athletes, physios, coaches, assistants and media allowed.
See the final program for the event here:
