A group of young Cape Flats athletes got a lekker surprise when they got to train with none other than Olympic gold medallist Wayde van Niekerk at the Parow Athletics Track on Monday.
More than 60 members from various running clubs attended the workshop and screamed with excitement when they recognised the track star, who had pitched up for training on the field.
The members were hard at work with educational talks and physical training when they were alerted by security guards who briefed them about the unexpected visit.
SURPRISE : Wayde van Niekerk with future Cape Flats track stars in Parow
The coach of Elsies River Athletics Club, Ruben Booysen, 41, said they were on day one of a four-day workshop.
“We were busy with training and the youngsters, who are serious about their running passion, were only focused on this,” he says.
“The next thing, someone comes up to us to tell us the Olympic champ is about to enter the field for a training session.
“Wayde asked us to allow him to train and he would make time for the kids afterwards.
“The kids couldn’t hold back as they saw him live in training, they sat quietly watching him, but with so much enthusiasm and excitement, it was hard for them to sit still because they just wanted to get to him and talk.”
Laaities got to meet their hero, Wayde van Niekerk. Picture supplied
After completing his training session, Wayde took part in a question and answer session and posed for pictures with the excited children.
“Wayde and his wife Chesney were there and spent a long time with the kids,” adds Ruben.
“Wayde comes from Kraaifontein and most of these kids are from the surrounding areas, he gave them hope and they all aspire to be like Wayde.”
Wayde, who lives in Bloemfontein, was in Cape Town for a family visit.
The 27-year-old has not run competitively for nearly two years after he tore his right knee ligaments in a celebrity touch rugby match in 2017.
SMILE: Ruben & Jerome at track
The 400m world record holder is now back with a bang, gearing up for the Olympics in Japan next year.
He posted a kaalbors picture of himself on Instagram and captioned it: “Looking forward to be back on track 2020 #QuietStorm.”
HERO: Craig Roems and Jaden Adams with Wayde van Niekerk