The world’s 400m champion will not be competing in his trademark event at the championship. He will only focus on the 200m sprint.

Van Niekerk has been in dominating form in the 400m across the world this season, however, he hasn’t run a convincing 200m yet.

The athlete’s management also don’t want him to overexert himself in the 400m sprint ahead of the Olympic Games in August.

After winning the 400m in Boston in the USA over the weekend, Van Niekerk said his 9.98 seconds in the 100m earlier this year set the tone for his season.

“For me as a sprinter the 100 and 200 was one of my first loves, it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with the sport, I’ve always had that mind-set of wanting to try it again.

“I’m just really grateful and blessed that I had that opportunity to improve myself in the 100m as well and it gave me a lot momentum and confidence for the rest of the season.

“I’m just trying to improve myself in every single race.”

Even if Van Niekerk clocks the Olympic qualifying time in Durban this week, he will not be competing in the event in Rio de Janeiro.

Morgan Piek/OFM News