Akani Simbine will be able to win a medal at the World Championships in London next year.

This is Werner Prinsloo’s prediction after Simbine finished 5^th in the 100 metre Olympic final. The coach of the Tuks/HPC athlete has just reason for his optimism.

Simbine ran the near perfect race in the final. Up to the last 20 metres it looked as if he was going to win the bronze medal, but then Andre de Grasse (Canada) and Yohan Blake (Jamaica) flashed past him. The fact that there was only 0.05s between Justin Gatlin (USA) in the 2^nd place and Simbine shows how close things were.

“Akani made me proud to be his coach. Our goal from the start was that he should compete in the final. I am really impressed with the way Akani raced throughout. He has shown a certain maturity.

“I think what helped was that we decided that our focus was not going to be only on the Games. For us it was just as if Akani was racing in any other race. I knew that he was ready to be competitive in the final when I watched him practise his starts before the race.

“I think the ‘foundation’ has been laid from which Akani can establish himself to truly become one of the best sprinters in the world.

“It is a pity that Akani will not compete in the 200 metres, but maybe it is a blessing in disguise. He will compete in the Paris (27 August) and Brussels (9 September) Diamond League Meetings and he really wants to end the year on a high. He now has a bit of time to relax and refocus.”

Asked about the Usain Bolt factor Prinsloo said: “The moment Usain steps onto the track it is as if there is a feeling of anticipation in the stadium, a sort of electricity in the air. According to Akani he and the other athletes also use this electricity to psyche themselves up,” the proud coach concluded.