Social media reacts to Wayde van Niekerk’s 400m gold and world record

Today we celebrating a remarkable African story. The history books have been re-written, and a 24 year-old South African sprinter, Wayde van Niekerk is at the centre of it all.

In the late hours of the evening in Rio de Janeiro, van Niekerk achieved the seemingly impossible, etching his name into the record books after smashing the 400m world record, becoming an Olympic champion and world record holder.

As many people across the continent were still in their sleep, dreams were becoming a reality in Rio de Janeiro.

Van Niekerk won the gold medal with a remarkable world record time of 43.03, shattering renowned U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson’s longstanding world record of 43.18, which was set in 1999.

Thank you to everyone…

GOD IS POWER pic.twitter.com/hQIRy0ynhN

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— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) August 15, 2016

The unforgettable men’s 400m final took place at 10pm in Rio, (in the early hours of the morning today in parts of Africa). As many people across the continent were still in their sleep, dreams were becoming a reality in Rio de Janeiro. Today, many Africans across continent woke up to the greatest and unbelievable news, an African star, van Niekerk had won gold, doing so in style.

The 24 year-old athlete is the first man to win an Olympic 400m title from lane eight.

Congratulations @WaydeDreamer to you and your coach! Well done and deserved. Olympic Gold and World record. I know the feeling! #Rio2016

— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) August 15, 2016

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With the remarkable win, van Niekerk becomes the first South African to win gold in the event in 96 years. Social media has been in overdrive celebrating van Niekerk’s excellence, and great achievement.

As the congratulatory messages continue to pour in, here’s our selection of what the world is saying about van Niekerk’s historic and memorable achievement.

Thanks for all the kind words. I'll always have the memory of the accomplishment of breaking it. Like the 200 I think it's in good hands

— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) August 15, 2016

Congratulations to South African VAN NIEKERK for breaking the Olympics 400m record held by the… https://t.co/UHnah32ozr

— Michael Essien® (@MichaelEssien) August 15, 2016

Congratulations #WaydevanNiekerk for winning a gold medal & setting a new world record in #Rio2016 Great role model pic.twitter.com/kBraC3zx7T

— Prof Thuli Madonsela #KindnessBuilds (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 15, 2016

Unbelievable race @WaydeDreamer Well done Champ. #Olympics #Rio2016

— Roland Schoeman (@Rolandschoeman) August 15, 2016

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https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/764991213091098624

https://twitter.com/germanotes/status/764993993738428416

van Niekerk becomes the 1st SA man to win an Olympic gold medal in the 400m since Bevil Rudd at the 1920 Antwerp Games #Rio2016 #SSAthletics

— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) August 15, 2016

https://twitter.com/ChrisChavezSI/status/764991870913175552