South Africa's van Niekerk jostling for Bolt's crown

South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk is interviewed by Reuters in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 1, 2017 before competing in a 200-meter dash at the Boston Games street meet. Picture taken June 1, 2017. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

BOSTON (Reuters) - Fresh off a record-breaking performance in the 400 metres at the Rio Olympics, South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk finds himself among a crowd of athletes jostling for the mantle of the retiring Usain Bolt, who has long outshone all his rivals.

The 24-year-old smashed American Michael Johnson's 17-year-old record in the 400 at the Rio Games with a time of 43.03 seconds, and is the only man to break 44 seconds in the 400m, 20 seconds in the 200m and 10 seconds in the 100m.