The Paris Olympics carries multiple importance for the South African track and field star, Wayde Van Niekerk. In his inception in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the one-lap sensation created havoc by decimating the American athletic legend Michael Johnson’s 400m record. The record still stands but the 31-year-old athlete had to face some career-threatening injuries in the meantime. But a sizable chunk of hope and some late insurgencies in the track kept WVN in the race of the Paris Olympics. 

However, apart from these reasons, there is a motivational part that kept the former 400m world champion hobbling through the exercise routines through thick and thin. It’s a testament to having your sibling’s back and standing by in solidarity no matter how, and Niekerk and Swarts are emblematic of that. 

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As the most prominent performer in South Africa’s track and field sphere, Wayde Van Niekerk already claimed the Paris Olympics berth. However, the national hockey team of the Springbok’s color earned their ticket to the French metropolis as well. That made the 3X world championship medalist enter history with a rare record. The Track Spice X-handle narrated the nooks and crannies of that record in its X post. The caption conceded, “Wayde van Niekerk is excited over the prospect of being at Paris 2024 Olympic Games with his sister Kayla Swarts who will be part of South Africa’s female Hockey team as they both gun for history.” For Wayde Van Niekerk, the occasion will be the third instance of Olympic presence. However, for the 20-year-old national hockey player, the Paris Olympics will be her first attendance at the greatest show on the earth. 

The euphoria was common in WVN’s expression when questioned on this matter in the podcast titled Behind the Ruck. The 2x African track and field champion shared, “I am about to share the Olympic Games with my little sister, and I am excited about that. So, it is about putting in that hard work now and seeing what comes tomorrow.” The hard work was quite visible to the siblings to achieve their glory in their fields. 

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The sweat and passion paid off

Kayla Swarts already etched her name on the rising phenom list in the South African national hockey team. Moreover, to hone her skills in the field, she opted to play against the French women’s national hockey team in the upcoming hockey test series in SACS of Cape Town. Swarts earned her Olympic qualification in November 2023. The same qualification came for Van Niekerk in the Silesia Diamond League last year. 

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On the same line, in both the World Athletics Championships of 2022 and 2023, Wayde Van Niekerk showed a glimpse of a comeback in his old form. So, riding on those possibilities, the Paris Olympics would expect to see the siblings on the podium.

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