The sprinter was born in Cape Town, but was raised in Bloemfontein and represented the Free State on the track for many years. During that time he was coached by Ans Botha, who guided him to the 2016 Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In 2021, Van Niekerk and Botha parted ways in order for him to relocate to the USA.

The 29-year-old sprinter is now training under Lance Brauman in Florida. Brauman's more famous athletes include the Olympic 4×400m gold medalist Derek Brew, Olympic 200m silver medalist Bernard Williams, and Olympic 100m bronze medalist Veronica Campbell.

The American 100m record holder and tied second fastest man on earth, Tyson Gay, also worked with Brauman.

Van Niekerk has returned to South Africa for the national championship and he will also only be running in the 200m for men.

While the former Olympic and world champion is a 400m specialist, he has a personal best time of 19.84 seconds in the 200m.

The heats for the 200m for men will get underway at 10:30 on Friday morning at the Green Point Stadium.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport