The feeling of being a flag bearer has not yet sunk in for South Africa’s poster boy, Wayde van Niekerk. The Varsity Athletics star is still taking it all in. Van Niekerk, who burst onto the athletics scene through the popular Varsity Sports platform, says leading his team onto the field at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Brazil, in front of an 80 000-strong crowd, was a dream come true.
He says that he had goosebumps as Team SA ‘went crazy’. Speaking at Team SA’s race village in Rio, Van Niekerk said: “You saw the moment I walked onto the field – the guys behind me were losing their minds.
“I had a glimpse at them and saw how crazy they were getting and it just brought so much joy to me. It was a blessing and it was the greatest honour for me.” Van Niekerk has been based in Gemona, a small town in Italy, during his Olympic preparations.
The 400m world champion says things were hectic back home with the responsibility of pleasing his sponsors and also tending to numerous media interviews back home. He’s finally had the time to focus on his preparations in Italy, and is now fit as a fiddle and ready for his track events. “I never really had the opportunity to sit down and focus on my career,” said Van Niekerk. “Things were all over the place. But it comes with the territory.”
The track and field events begin on Friday. Van Niekerk competed in Monaco and the United States before the Olympics and is looking for a podium finish on the biggest stage in world athletics.
“I don’t do anything out of the ordinary,” said Van Niekerk, on his preparations. “I just watch movies and try to relax. I just want to perform. Once I win a medal I will start doing some sightseeing Brazil. I’m told it’s a beautiful country.”
There are always expectations to perform and as one of the leading athletes and Van Niekerk insists that he can handle the pressure. “Is there never pressure for a sportsman? No, it’s always there and so many of us go through it, but that’s what makes us great athletes.”
An Olympic gold medal would top the list of all his achievements. Pressure is weighing heavily on his shoulders, but the Team SA flag bearer can’t wait for the track and field events to start at the weekend. He entered the Games carrying SA’s flag, but the nation hopes that he’ll leave carrying a medal.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun writer – Reporting from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
