The sprinting sensation will be competing at a local Schools Zone 1 meet at the Mangaung Athletics Track in Bloemfontein.

The Free State Senior athletes have been given special permission to compete in the event in order to prepare for the nationals.

Van Niekerk will be running in the senior men’s 200m at 10:13 and will also take part in the 200m at 14:43.

There is a possibility that he will run in his trademark event, the 400m sprint, at 15:33.

Van Niekerk has not competed since setting the new world record at 43.03 sec in August, and he told OFM Sport that he is excited to take to the track again, albeit that he considers it to be a training session.

 “It’s still very early so I don’t really have any specific emotions at this point in time,” said Van Niekerk.

“I’m just really going to use this weekend as a good training session so that we can just help the fitness and the sharpness.

“I’m really just seeing it as another training day and not as a race right now.

“It’s just really to get the legs loose and see where I’m at now and to see what I must work on with the South African season coming closer and closer”.

The two-time South African Sportsman of the year and Laureus Award Nominee conceded that he is still feeling the effects of last season.

“I’m still struggling with a lot of tightness in my back from last season.

“We’re going to work on that a bit and when that feels better I will slowly but surely move towards improving my actual speed for the season.

“But right now I’m really just testing the waters”.

Another world record holder, the blind Paralympian, Louzanne Coetzee, will also be competing in the woman’s 800m.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport