Relays might be the best option for SA medal hopes

As unpredictable as this season might be, with a packed international calendar caused by Covid postponements, it does seem clear that South Africa’s battle to end a recent medal drought at major international championships is going to be a continued struggle.

There are some athletes who will be gunning for podium places at the World Championships this year, but with Wayde van Niekerk struggling for form, Caster Semenya sidelined from the 800m event, Sunette Viljoen past her best and Luvo Manyonga trapped by drugs, the well has dried up a bit.

And though the likes of experienced sprinter Akani Simbine, powerhouse shot putter Kyle Blignaut and marathon runner Stephen Mokoka will be confident of putting up a fight, it could be in team events where South Africa ends its drought.

In a sport which largely rewards individual success, it’s not always easy to convince athletes to work together in a group, but by working together, they might be more competitive.

Nobody in the country has run under 10 seconds over 100m this year, but there is still sufficient depth for Simbine to carry the SA 4x100m relay team to the podium at the global championships in Eugene.

Other events

And while there still needs to be an injection of pace to give the national women’s 4x100m relay squad a chance, Van Niekerk could add some real value to a competitive men’s 4x400m team and a long list of in-form hurdlers could be dangerous in the women’s 4x400m event.

Of course, individual medals will always be enticing to those who are in reach, but for those who aren’t quite at the level to chase glory on their own, they do have the ability to link up and target major medals at World Championships and Olympic Games over the next few years.

This week’s national relay championships in Sasolburg is a chance to continue building a local relay culture and entice the country’s strongest links to commit to team races, and if national relay coach Paul Gorries can get them to work together, there could be medals on the cards.

Only a handful of South African athletes will have any real chance of reaching the podium at the World Championships this season, but with the depth that has been built in sprints in recent years, the country has the potential to make a real impact in relays.

It gives multiple athletes opportunities to shine together over various distances, and it really opens the door for the sport to be showcased to South African sports fans.

It’s win-win. As long as they win.