Wayde van Niekerk reflects on 400m world record a decade later

It was at the 2016 Olympic Games that a 24-year-old van Niekerk stunned the world, smashing both the Olympic and world record from an outside lane 8.

A decade later, that mark still stands tall and the 33-year-old has told SABC Sport even he is amazed that his record has endured for so long, describing the milestone as deeply meaningful – not just for himself, but for the entire nation.

“It feels incredibly special to still be the record holder. To think that South Africans have been able to call themselves world record holders for a decade because of that moment, it’s something that fills me with pride," said van Niekerk.

“My hope is that, if it is ever broken, it remains here in Africa. That would mean everything. It would show what is possible when we invest in our talent and believe in our young athletes.

“I’m not someone who likes to boast but achieving an Olympic and world record is something I still struggle to put into words. It’s an honour I carry with gratitude, not just for myself, but for my country.”

Van Niekerk recently confirmed that he will step away from individual 400m races but remains available for the 4x400m relay team, while his focus now shifts to the 200m, where he is chasing the Commonwealth Games qualifying time of 20.16 seconds.

The South African star is set to line up at the Athletics South Africa Senior Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch from 16-18 April, hoping to secure his place in Team SA for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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