The 400 m world record holder and Ans Botha, his coach, arrived in Gemona, Italy, a few weeks ago where he trains at a part-time base. Other South African athletes such as Ruswahl Samaai (long jump) and Antonio Alkana (hurdles) are also stationed there.

This follows after Van Niekerk and fellow Kovsie athlete Lynique Prinsloo Beneke (long jump) got the green light at the end of June to start training again at Pellies Park on the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus.

The event this weekend in Italy will be the first time in about three years that Van Niekerk will compete internationally after injuries.

He started 2020 successfully with a few events before Covid-19 halted sports proceedings all over the world.

Van Niekerk’s last meeting was in February at the Free State Championships in Bloemfontein, where he cruised to victory (47.42 s) in wet conditions.

Kovsies