Earlier this year Van Niekerk became the first man ever to run a sub 44 second 400m, a sub 20 second 200m, and a sub 10 second 100m.

Winning the gold at the Olympics and World Championships and clocking a world record time is an accomplished mission for the 24-year-old.

Van Niekerk’s first love is the 200m sprint and this is exactly where the sprinter may be turning his attention to.

The athlete’s coach, Tannie Ans Botha, who has become an overnight sensation across the world and perhaps even the most famous great-grandmother in the world, says there is a strong possibility that Van Niekerk will be looking for a new challenge.

“Wayde and I discussed it but we didn’t make a final decision.

“Wayde’s first love is the 200m and I think he reached his dream of winning the 400m gold and with that the world record.

“Perhaps we will go back to the 200m but we haven’t made a final decision on that.

“When we go back and he has had some rest then we will make a decision on the new strategies etc.”

Van Niekerk and his family were expected back in Bloemfontein on Sunday, however, Botha confirmed to OFM Sport that she and Wayde are first heading to Gemona in Italy and they will head back home on 11 September.

Morgan Piek/OFM News