The world record holder was named as one of the 18 world champions to compete at the event in Switzerland.

Last week Van Niekerk defended his 400m world title be clinching golf in during the IAAF World Championships in London. On top of that he won the silver medal in the men’s 200m sprint in as his first even double at a world event.

The athlete’s coach, tannie Ans Botha, told OFM Sport that it is highly unlikely that Van Niekerk will be competing in Switzerland.

The three-time woman’s 800m world champion, Caster Semenya, and the long-jump world champion, Luvo Manyonga, will also be in action in Switzerland are the other two South African’s confirmed in the field.

The Diamond League resumes this week with the Birmingham event, however, at this stage it is uncertain if Semenya or Manyonga, are confirmed in the field, but it appears the Olympic gold medal winner, Van Niekerks’ season is done.

The world champions to compete at the Zurich Diamond League according to the IAAF:

•             Dafne Schippers (NED/200m)

•             Caster Semenya, (RSA/800m)

•             Sally Pearson (AUS/100m hurdles)

•             Emma Coburn (USA/3000m SC)

•             Yulimar Rojas (VEN/triple jump)

•             Lijiao Gong (CHN/shot put)

•             Barbora Spotakova (CZE/javelin throw)

•             Justin Gatlin (USA/100m)

•             Wayde van Niekerk (RSA/400m)

•             Elijah Motonei Manangoi (KEN/1500m)

•             Muktar Edris (ETH/5000m)

•             Karsten Warholm (NOR/400m hurdles)

•             Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT/high jump)

•             Sam Kendricks (USA/pole vault)

•             Luvo Manyonga (RSA/long jump)

•             Johannes Vetter (GER/javelin)

Morgan Piek OFM Sport