Athletics South Africa (ASA) has defended the selection of Wayde van Niekerk ahead of Luxolo Adams for the 200m sprint at the Paris Olympics next month, with the federation insisting it had discussed the decision with Adams, after the former national champion revealed at the weekend he was taking the fight to court.
While Adams was initially announced as one of three 200m runners in the SA team, it was confirmed last week that 400m world record holder Van Niekerk had been dropped from the one-lap event and had replaced Adams in the 200m team , in order for Van Niekerk to be available for the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Adams, however, said the decision was incredibly disheartening, hitting out at the national federation for allegedly informing him via a WhatsApp message.
He said he was seeking urgent legal intervention to reclaim his place in the national team for the quadrennial Games.
Telephonic meetingHowever, according to a letter from ASA coordinator Hezekiel Sepeng to Adams which has emerged, the federation claimed to have discussed the decision during a telephonic meeting with Adams, his coach (Gerrie Posthumus) and his agent (Peet van Zyl) last week.
