MICHAEL FINCH, Seville | Wednesday 12.00pm.
DARE one suggest it, but Okkert Brits is back.
The world’s third highest ever polevaulter, who has gone through a three year valley of darkness, finally saw some light at the end of the tunnel on the fourth day of the 7th World Athletics championships in Seville.
Battling back from injury and regarded as a rank outsider for a medal, the 26-year-old returned from the wilderness to make it through to the final on Thursday after a tense qualification round on Tuesday.
Brits highlighted a better day for South Africa after a weekend of non-performances.
In the men’s 10000m, Hendrick Ramaala led the 25-lap race for 4000m in a brave solo effort to eventually finish 11th in a race that is clearly too fast for a man specialising over the half marathon.
Ramaala’s performance was goose-pimple stuff as he took up the early pace and was only discharged from the back of the classy group with three laps remaining. Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie was an easy winner in 27:57,27 ahead of his Kenyan arch rival, Paul Terget.
Ramaala, with his mind focussed on the World Half Marathon championships in September, produced respectable 28:25,57 in the oppressive Seville heat where temperatures reached into the high 30’s.
There was varied success for the sprinters with both Wendy Hartman and Marcus la Grange qualifying for the second round. La Grange courtesy of a victory in his first round heat.
But despite brave efforts, La Grange could only managed fifth in heat 2 of the quarter-finals while Hartman ended last in heat 1 of her quarters.
But the day belonged to Brits.
After almost 18 months of injury, including a hamstring pull six weeks ago, the likeable man from Stellenbosch was just glad to be competing.
“It’s just nice to be here, because I’m not really ready for a world championships and I’m just glad Athletics South Africa had faith in me,” Brits said afterwards. “I think it was good for me to get back on track.”
But Brits refused to put any pressure on himself and was adamant that he would take it one step at a time.
“One thing I’ve learnt is that I’m never going to make promises again,” Brits said. “That’s the thing that really screwed me up. You make promises which you can’t keep and it destroys you.”
Brits’ place in the final was touch and go as he only managed to clear 5,65 metres on his third attempt while failing at 5,70 on all three occasions. With so many athletes in a similar position, Brits didn’t even know his fate by the time he arrived in the media zone.
It was eventually the South African media that confirmed the good news and with thumbs up and a self satisfied smile, walked slow away.
Is Okkert Brits back? If he is, don’t tell anyone.