
New 400m world record holder was just as excited about Liverpool beating Arsenal
Published Aug. 15, 2016 12:13 p.m. ET
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South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk didn't just win a gold medal in the men's 400m Sunday night in Rio, the 24-year-old beat two former Olympic champions and smashed Michael Johnson's world record, which had stood for 17 years. Despite starting in a dreaded outside lane, van Niekerk finished in 43.03, well ahead of Kirani James and LaShawn Merritt, and more than a tenth of a second under Johnson's pace.
What was van Niekerk doing in the hours leading up to his big race? Watching Liverpool beat Arsenal in a 4-3 thriller.
Via the Independent:
Johnson was serving as a commentator during the race for BBC, and the American was blown away.
Thank you to everyone... ???
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) August 15, 2016
GOD IS POWER https://t.co/5bFdR7f3U1
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