Mihlali Xhotyeni, Sinesipho Dambile, Letlhogonolo Moleyane and Benjamin Richardson. (Roger Sedres/Gallo Images)
You could have set your clock by Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) press release for the SA Senior National Championships: Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine were front and centre in what the kids call the mentions. It’s been that way for years, and it is again this year.
While the organisers of the four-day meet at the Umsunduzi Athletics Track, starting on Thursday in Maritzburg, aren’t exactly wrong – the two would be drawcards at whatever track and field meeting they turned up in – it’s time South Africa moved on from overburdening them with the country’s expectations, Olympic year or not.
World 400m record holder Van Niekerk and Simbine – South Africa’s fastest ever 100m sprinter – are still the men to beat in the events they have entered at the nationals, the 100m (Simbine) and the 200m (Van Niekerk). While there is no realistic expectation that they will be beaten, Paul Gorries isn’t so sure, even though it is with tongue firmly in cheek.
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