Van Niekerk double bid could steal some of Bolt's thunder

FILE PHOTO: 2016 Rio Olympics - Athletics - Final - Men's 400m Final - Olympic Stadium - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 14, 2016. Gold medalist Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) of South Africa points to the board showing his new world new record. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Usain Bolt’s farewell will be the major narrative at the world championships but South African speedster Wayde van Niekerk’s bid for the 200 and 400m double could steal some of his spotlight.

The Jamaican great has dubbed the 25-year-old Van Niekerk as the sport's next superstar and that is likely to be reinforced at the global showpiece event in London which starts on Friday.