By Razeen Gutta
In a thrilling race on Friday evening, South Africa’s 4×100 metre men’s relay team set a new national record to win the silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
It was the first time ever that Team SA won a medal in a relay event at the Olympics, with Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine finishing in a time of 37.57.
South Africa were in fifth place when Simbine took the reins for the final 100 metre stretch; and after coming in 4th and 5th place in the last three Olympic 100 metre finals, the 30-year-old knew it would be now or never on Friday.
Just when it mattered most, Simbine seized the moment.
“My career has not been about the medals, it’s just been about a lot of consistency, and I have shown that I will always be there. I have shown that I will be an athlete that will step up to the plate and I will fight, my name will always be there,” he said post-race.
He went on to dedicate the medal to all those that supported him throughout his career.
“The medal is just the cherry on top, I have proven myself to the game. I have proven myself to my competitors and that for me is enough. I’m inspiring a new generation in Africa, that’s really huge and I don’t take it very lightly, and now to I have a medal to add to that but that doesn’t describe me.”
“I am a sprinter, I am an athlete, but this medal is just for everyone who has wished a medal upon me, my medal belongs to everyone.”
Pictured above: Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi and Bradley Nkoana
Source: @akani_simbine
