SA sprint ace Simon Magakwe will go down as one of the most successful sprinters in the country after winning eight national titles.
However, he never represented his country at the Olympic Games, and that will go down as one of the saddest moments in this career.
His year started on a high note as he attended the 4x100m relay training camp at the University of Pretoria. The training was a success, and relay coach Paul Gorries was happy with their preparations. The 35-year-old former African champion was supposed to travel with the team to the World Relay Challenge in Poland in May.
However, Magakwe did not make the team that represented SA in the world challenge. He told Sowetan that injury robbed him of a great year and regrets that he did not get the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics.
In 2016, he missed the Olympics because of suspension, and this year, he suffered a knee injury. In December 2014, He served a two-year ban from the sport for the anti-doping rule violation.
“Injury ended my season, and I feel sad that I did not make the relay team. I battled with a knee injury and missed the relay championships. I thought that this year would be different, but things did not go according to my plans, and I will dust myself and try again next time," said Magakwe.
The North West-born speedster said he would not hang up his spikes, as he still wants to run. At the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba, Nigeria, Magakwe won a silver medal in the 100m. He won a gold medal in the 4x100m relay in Nigeria, and he was looking forward to doing it on an international stage.
Magakwe was the first South African sprinter to run under 10 seconds, but he will rue not taking part in the Olympics. “You must learn to accept that some things are not for you. The season has gone for me and I have accepted that it did not work out," added Magakwe.
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