Grey College bursting with pride after Wayde van Niekerk wins gold

GREY College burst into song on Monday morning in honour of their Olympic gold medallist Wayde van Niekerk.

The Bloemfontein school‚ known for producing some of the country’s best rugby players‚ burst with pride after 24-year-old Van Niekerk not only won the gold medal in the 400m race at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the early hours of the morning‚ but did so by obliterating a 17-year-old world record held by the great Michael Johnson.

Van Niekerk finished in a time of 43.03 seconds‚ bettering Johnson’s 43.18 mark.

Excitement and pride were a common theme at Grey College‚ his former school‚ which was quickly decorated with banners of the athlete’s name and face.

At the morning assembly the school was in full voice‚ singing a special song – Wayde Won’t be Removed — dedicated to the World and Olympic champion.

"We are really excited about the world record‚" the school’s head of sport‚ Pieter Viljoen, told TMG Digital on Monday.

"This is not only a moment for the school‚ but something very big for the whole of SA to enjoy."

Grey College has produced the most Springbok rugby players since 1906‚ but the school prides itself in producing track and field athletes too.

In Rio the school is represented by Van Niekerk‚ 400m hurdler LJ van Zyl and 800m runner Reinhardt van Rensburg.

The school will also be represented at the Paralympics by sprinter Arnu Fourie.

"We love rugby‚ but we also pride ourselves and want to continue being strong in athletics‚ hockey and other sports‚" said Viljoen.

"The fact that we have three athletes at the Olympics and one who will be at the Paralympics shows that athletics is one of our strong points too."

Van Niekerk first showed signs of promise while running for the school, where he matriculated in 2011. He was coached by a former South African Olympian‚ Elinda Vorster (nee Rademeyer).

"In Grade 12 Wayde was our athletics captain‚" Viljoen remembered.

"It was then that he showed great potential. That time he took part in the high jump‚ long jump‚ 100m and 200m sprints.

"It was his coach at the time‚ Elinda Vorster‚ who saw potential and suggested that he change to 400m. I remember I said there was no chance he would do better than in the other events. But eventually Elinda gave him that opportunity and in 2010 he was competing with senior athletes while he was a junior. That is what makes him more special."

Van Niekerk’s feat may change the face of the school after inspiring current scholars.

"The assembly this morning was special‚" said the school’s head of sports.

"The boys passionately sang a special song for him. It was really special. He has really inspired our learners."

TMG Digital