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South African sprinter Akani Simbine reflects on his sprinting journey, Olympic success, and inspiring future generations of African athletes.
Olympic medalist Akani Simbine has made it clear that he is not stepping away from the track anytime soon.
The 31-year-old South African sprinter, who has become one of the leading faces of African sprinting, remains a formidable presence on the international stage.
With a personal best of 9.82 seconds in the 100m, Simbine is the second-fastest African sprinter in history.
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Over the past decade, he has broken the 10-second barrier for 100 meters every year, proving his staying power at the highest level.
Reflecting on his late start in athletics, Simbine said, “I got into this game pretty late in my life as a late teenager, 19, and since then it’s been like stepping stones and learning about athletics, learning about how things are done and being thrown in the circuit saying ‘okay, swim’. I think that’s why I don’t feel so old in the game.”
This longevity was rewarded when Simbine won his first global major medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, anchoring South Africa’s 4x100m men’s relay team to a silver medal.
The moment was particularly sweet for Simbine, who had narrowly missed out on individual medals in the past, finishing fourth in the 100m in Tokyo and Paris and fifth in Rio.
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Simbine’s breakthrough as an Olympic medalist in 2024 is a milestone not just for him but for African sprinting.
In a continent better known for its dominance in long-distance events, Simbine is spearheading a new era for African sprinters on the world stage.
“Being part of a small group of athletes that are taking sprinting to the world – where Africa’s not known for sprinting, Africa’s known for the distance – I’m just proud of the fact that I could spearhead this generation,” he said.
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Simbine has consistently shown respect for his fellow competitors, both on and off the track, despite being a reserved figure in the world of athletics.
“I don’t talk much; I am very self-kept. I have a lot of respect for everyone that lines up, a tonne of respect, because I know what you put in, to be here. I think my performances and my actual work that I put in speak louder than what I would do on social media,” he said.
The South African sprinter is not only focused on his personal success but also on the future of athletics in Africa. He sees his achievements as a stepping stone for future generations of African sprinters, encouraging young athletes to chase their dreams.
“I can motivate the next generation to do well and to do better. To want to come and sprint, to want to come and run in different countries in the world and show how fast you are,” he said, highlighting his desire to inspire younger athletes across the continent.
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Despite already achieving more than he ever imagined as a teenager, Simbine’s hunger for success remains undiminished.
“What I’ve done for my country is amazing, what I’ve done for myself in athletics is really amazing. I never dreamt of this. I never dreamt of running all over different countries, running sub-10 – this was not even part of my plan as a teenager,” he reflected.
“I’m not going to leave the game any time soon. I’ll still be around until I feel that I’ve had enough of the game and I’m ready to move on."
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