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Cape Town - Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, has congratulated Wayde van Niekerk for receiving the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) award for Best Male Athlete of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"ANOC's recognition of Wayde is testament to his continued record of excellence and dedication. Wayde has over a short period of time emerged as one of the greatest athletes of this generation and the world is acknowledging that. This award is a first for a South African which further affirms Wayde as a living inspiration for our young people. His record breaking performance at the Rio 2016 Olympics is but a start to his world stunning career," Mbalula said.
Van Niekerk, running in the outside Lane 8, won the 400m in Rio in a world-record time of 43.03, breaking American Michael Johnson's 17-year-old mark of 43.18.
Mbalula's comments come as Van Niekerk, along with Kagiso Rabada, Caster Semenya and Seabelo Senatla have been voted for by the public in the People's Choice category of the SA Sport Awards.
Mbalula called on all South Africans to
take part in this process and choose their winner.
