Fans who had anticipated seeing World Record (WR) holder in the men’s 400m, Wayde Van Niekerk go for the 100m/200m double at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, would have to wait for another opportunity as it has been reported that the South African will miss the Games because of an injury.
The reigning Olympic and World Champion in the quartermile, suffered a serious injury to his knee during a celebrity touch Rugby match in Cape Town. According to a statement made available on his social media platforms, Van Niekerk ‘picked up medial and lateral tears of the meniscus, as well as a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)’.
He has already arrived Colorado in the US, and will undergo a medical procedure later on Tuesday at the Steadman Clinic in Vail. He is then expected to undergo rehabilitation for six months in Vail, Doha and South Africa, thus ruling him out of the Games holding in Gold Coast from April 4 to 15, 2018.
He said: “I was looking forward to competing in the 100m and 200m events in Gold Coast, and participating at the National Championships in March, so this is unfortunate timing. But this is sport and these things happen. I trust that the team I have around me, including the medical professionals, will make this process as smooth as possible.
“I have faith that, God willing, I’ll be able to race again later next year. Full recovery is going to be crucial, so I’ll be patient, but I will work as hard as I can to get back on the track as soon as possible.”
Van Niekerk’s absence will no doubt, deal a huge blow to South Africa’s medal chances at the Commonwealth Games.
The 25-year old got married to his girlfriend Chesney Campbell at a low-key ceremony during the weekend.
