The North-West University’s three Olympic speedsters, Chederick van Wyk, Zakhiti Nene and Pieter Conradie, are in the spotlight in Tokyo this week when the relay items commence just before the weekend.

Van Wyk, who is taking part in the 4 X 100 m item, will be in action on Thursday, 5 August, with Conradie and Nene showing their steel in the 4 X 400 m on Friday, 6 August.

Nene recently ended fifth in the 400 m heats and unfortunately could not qualify for the finals. He would want to make up for that. The 23-year-old Nene, who was born in Ladysmith, is the current South African 400 m champion.    

The 26-year-old Conradie has won quite a few relay medals. In 2011 he won gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games on the Isle of Man (4 X 100 m), in 2013 he received bronze at the Universiade in Russia (4 X 400 m), and in 2018 he won silver at the African Championships in Nigeria (4 X 400 m).

Van Wyk will also want to make the most of his Olympic opportunity. The 26-year-old native of Prieska is a very easy-going guy, and this coolheaded character will not allow the moment to overwhelm him.