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SA’s world record holder tests positive for coronavirus

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Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa reacts after winning the silver. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

South African 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk has tested positive for the coronavirus, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

Van Niekerk learnt of the result while quarantined in Gemona del Friuli, Italy where his training camp for the European season is based.

He had arrived in the country on July 19 and was preparing to compete in the 100m and 400m events at the Triveneto Meeting Internazionale Trieste on Saturday.

He’s been out of action for a while due to an injury he sustained during a celebrity touch rugby match in October 2017.

Van Niekerk won gold at the Rio Olympics four years ago while running from lane eight in the 400m final, and setting a world record time of 43.03 seconds.

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