By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Akani Simbine finally has that Olympic medal that he has both cherished, and deserved. The star sprinter, who has placed fifth and twice fourth in the men’s 100m final, produced the most blistering run ever seen by a South African at a packed Stade de France on Friday night.
Simbine took the baton from Bradley Nkoana, with a wall of runners in front of him and plenty to do in the men;s 4x100m final. With that 100m remaining, Team SA were fifth and hopes fading fast. Step forward Simbine, consistently one of the elite sprinters over the last decade, to re-ignite the dreams of a nation.
Japan were leading Italy, France and Canada, with South Africa in fifth spot. Some 8.78 seconds later and Simbine flashed across the line, chasing Andre De Grasse who helped Canada to win gold. The clock was stopped for Canada in 37.50, but South Africa’s 37.57 was an African record.
Great Britain took bronze while pre-race favourites United States were disqualified.
Bayanda Walaza had started off for Team SA and ran his leg around the bend in 10.41. He handed over to Shaun Maswangani in fourth spot and he ran down the back straight in 9.06. The changeover to Nkoana was smooth and he impressed with his 9.32 leg, but still, when the baton was handed to Simbine, the South African still had plenty to do.
“This medal is for everyone who wished a medal upon me, Simbine said, basking in the afterglow of the most memorable performance of his career. “I’ve finally got a major championship medal.
“My career isn’t defined by medals, it’s all been about consistency. I’ve always been an athlete who has stepped up to the plate and fought hard. A medal is just the cherry on the top for me. I am glad to be inspiring a new generation in South Africa, in Africa. My medal belongs to them, to the whole world.”
Simbine was joined in the celebrations which lasted long into the night by his teammates who played their part in a memorable performance. Walaza is still 18 and at school, Maswangani is a two-time Olympian at the age of 23 and Nkoana is only 19.
That makes it two teenagers in a relay squad that sent out the loudest message to the world on an evening when the rain came again to Paris. However, no downpour was ever going to dampen the spirits of a South African awesome foursome which has sprinted into history, the first African country to win a men’s 4x100m men’s relay Olympic medal.