Wayde Van Niekerk says ‘I do’ to long-time bae Chesney Campbell

World 400m record holder athlete Wayde Van Niekerk “put a ring on it” this weekend, tying the knot with his long-time “bae”, Chesney Campbell.

Van Niekerk posted a black and white photo of the newlyweds on Twitter, saying: “Can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you @ Neshney. So blessed to start this next adventure with the girl of my dreams! I love you!”

Van Niekerk and Campbell were engaged in December.

Van Niekerk won the 400m at the Olympics last year and a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships. According to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Van Niekerk first demonstrated his speed playing rugby in junior school in Cape Town.

“He and cousin Cheslin Kolbe were in the same team. More than 12 years later, they are teammates once again, this time in the South African Olympic team in Rio, with Kolbe playing for the sevens team. They’re both professional sportsmen now, but even in that junior school, they earned some decent pocket money when their teacher offered them money for every try scored,” said the IAAF.

“I’ve always been active since my school days,” Van Niekerk said. “I’ve always taken part in athletics and rugby. My stepdad does long-distance and marathons and my father did both high jump and now and then, sprints and rugby.

“My mother was also an athlete who did sprints and the high jump, but then she got pregnant and ended up stopping. I just carried on the legacy. Sport has always been something my family does.”

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