World Athletics has set tougher entry standards for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, IOL Sport reported. Several South African athletes have already run or thrown inside the new marks.
Under the approved system, about 40% of track and field places will go to athletes who meet automatic standards. The other 60% will be given out through World Athletics ranking points.
The men’s 100m standard drops from 10.00 seconds for Paris to 9.93 seconds. The men’s 200m mark is 19.95 seconds and the 400m mark is 44.40 seconds.
For women, the 800m standard is 1:57.00 and the 100m hurdles standard is 12.58 seconds. The women’s javelin mark is 63.80m.
Sprinter Bayanda Walaza, 20, ran 9.89 seconds twice in 2026, in Slovakia and in Serbia. He won silver in the 4x100m relay in Paris and two gold medals at the World U20 Championships.
Bradley Nkoane has a personal best of 9.95 seconds. That is two-hundredths of a second outside the standard.
National record holder Akani Simbine, whose best time is 9.82 seconds, will turn 34 in 2028. IOL Sport reported that Simbine could still qualify through ranking points because of his steady Diamond League results.
In the 200m, Commonwealth Games champion Sinesipho Dambile has a lifetime best of 19.74 seconds. That is inside the 19.95 requirement.
In the 400m, Zakithi Nene has run 43.89 seconds and Lythe Pillay has run 44.32 seconds. Both times are inside the 44.40 standard.
Leendert Koekemoer, 19, won bronze at the World U20 Championships and later ran 44.52 seconds. He is 0.12 seconds off the automatic mark.
Olympic javelin silver medallist Jo-Ané van Dyk threw 63.93m in Paris and has a lifetime best of 64.22m. Both throws are beyond the 63.80m standard.
Prudence Sekgodiso, who reached the 800m final in Paris, has a personal best of 1:56.83. That is under the 1:57.00 standard.
Hurdler Marioné Fourie has a season best of 12.59 seconds, one-hundredth of a second outside the 12.58 mark. IOL Sport reported that her ranking points should still earn her a place.
Relay teams have a separate route to Los Angeles. World Athletics confirmed that the top 14 nations at the 2028 World Athletics Relays will qualify automatically. That event will be held in Nassau in the Bahamas.
South Africa’s men’s 4x100m team holds the African record of 37.57 seconds. The 4x400m pool includes Nene, Pillay and Koekemoer.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.