Olympic 400 metres champion Wayde “The Dreamer” van Niekerk has temporarily separated from long-time coach Tannie Ans Botha to train in the United States under renowned sprint mentor Lance Brauman.
The South African smashed Michael Johnson’s world record at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games to claim gold in a time of 43.03, but has barely competed since suffering a serious knee injury while playing touch rugby in October 2017.
Looking for a comeback with a bang at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Kraaifontein champ decided to train at Brauman’s Florida base along with 200m world champion Noal Lyles and women’s 400m Olympic champion Shaune Miller-Uibo.
Of his move, Wayde, 28, says: “I’ve spent most of my career under the guidance of the amazing Tannie Ans at my home base in Bloem and I can’t express the gratitude I have for everything she has done to help me get to this point in my career.
Hi Dreamers! Pls see statement below:
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) February 19, 2021
I've spent most of my career under the guidance of the amazing ‘Tannie' Ans at my home base in Bloem and I can't express the gratitude I have for everything she has done to help me get to this point in my career🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/RII0LTJm0Q
“As much as I have enjoyed my experience with Tannie Ans and her group, I am hoping to break my world record and to do that I need to ensure I am training alongside the world’s best sprinters.
“So I feel a temporary move to the United States will be in my best interests for the immediate future.”
As much as I have enjoyed every moment here, I hope to break my WR & to do that I need to be training alongside the world's best sprinters. I feel a temp move to the US will be in my best interest for now. I’m really going to miss Tannie but she will always be my mentor! 💜 pic.twitter.com/6rAT7ENoI9
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) February 19, 2021
Wayde confirmed he would reassess his training plans after the Tokyo Games.
Meanwhile, Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga says Group of Seven leaders gave unanimous support for his bid to hold the Tokyo Games from July 23 to August 8, as the country struggles to contain the coronavirus and to inoculate its citizens swiftly.
Suga says after Friday’s G7 summit meeting: “I told the meeting that I want to realise a safe and secure Olympics as testimony that human beings will have won the battle with the coronavirus.
“I was able to gain support from all the leaders [from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and US]. It was so encouraging.”
The Tokyo Olympics was originally scheduled for 2020, but was postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan kicked off its inoculation drive against the virus last Wednesday, becoming the last member of G7 countries to do so.