Akani Simbine: A Pheonix rises in the sprint world ahead of Paris Olympics

South African sprinter Akani Simbine believes the London Diamond League second-place finish is a motivation enough ahead of the Paris Olympic games. Simbine has been the undisputed king of African sprinting for the last decade, reaching the finals in the previous two Olympics. It wasn’t an easy journey for Simbine. When he returned from the Olympics in 2020, he locked himself up in his home for over a week. A psychiatrist diagnosed Simbine with depression, which would ultimately send him on a path to recovery and rediscovery. Fast-forward to 2024. He has enjoyed a great season so far, winning the South African Championships before extending the winning streak to the Diamond League Meetings in Xiamen and Shanghai.

The golden boy is enjoying a stunning buildup to his third Olympic Games, finishing on top of the podium in each of his four 100m races this season. His victories include two Diamond League triumphs over world-class contenders such as reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs and former world champions Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.