It will be a busy day on the track for Team SA at the Paris Olympics on Monday, with Wayde van Niekerk making a welcome return and Prudence Sekgodiso aiming to follow in the footsteps of Caster Semenya.

Van Niekerk made the surprise decision to switch from the 400m to the 200m for this Olympics, despite holding the world record in the one-lap showcase event. However, his decision may just prove to be wise as he may have a better chance of making the final in the 200m, given his fitness and form this season.

Van Niekerk will compete alongside Benjamin Richardson and Shaun Maswanganyi in the round one heats starting at 7.55pm.

Sekgodiso has been a rising star this season, and could be considered a strong medal contender from a South African perspective. The 22-year-old will compete in the women’s 800m final at 9.47pm.

The times from the Men’s 100m were so close 🤏

Incredible race, for all involved 🔥#Paris2024 | #CloserToYourChampions pic.twitter.com/N2nIcFFzwK
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 4, 2024

Time to shine for Nene and Pillay

In the men’s 400m, Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay will feature in the repechage round starting at 11.20am. In the women’s 400m, Miranda Coetzee will be the only South African in action, with the heats beginning at 11.55am.

At 11.35am, Victor Hogan will begin his campaign in the men’s discus qualification group B. Earlier, Francois Prinsloo will compete in group A.

Though he won’t grab the headlines, Mel Janse van Rensburg will kick-off the SA athletes in action on Monday at 10am in the Sport Climbing in the men’s boulder & lead in the semi-final boulder. In the women’s event, Aniya Holder will compete in the qualification seeding heats at 1pm.

@Golfhackno1

IOL Sport