DA congratulates Wayde Van Niekerk for Olympic world record

15 August 2016

The Democratic Alliance congratulates Wayde van Niekerk on his world record breaking performance in the 400 metre final at the Rio Olympics last night. Van Niekerk gave the whole nation a reason to wake up proudly South African this morning. 

Van Niekerk not only left the rest of the field trailing in his wake, but also obliterated Michael Johnson’s world record, which stood for seventeen years, with his winning time of 43.03. This magical moment also earned Team South Africa its first gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.  

While those who have followed Van Niekerk’s performance in the last 12 months would have anticipated a gold medal, to win it in such spectacular fashion, smashing the world record, was incredible.

His performance en route to winning the gold medal will be cherished as one of South Africa’s greatest moments in the history of athletics. 

We hope that his achievements will inspire millions of youngsters throughout the country that it is possible to attain the biggest accomplishment in sports through the pursuit of excellence. 

Issued by Solly Malatsi, DA Shadow Minister of Sports and Recreation, 15 August 2016