Anything possible with van Niekerk - Bolt

World's fastest man Usain Bolt, who will be retiring after this summer's IAAF World Championships in London, has said that Olympic and World Championship 400m gold medallist Wayde van Niekerk could possibly break his 200m world record, but said it will not be easy.

The 24 year old van Niekerk broke the 400m world record at the Rio Olympics last summer, clocking 43.03 seconds, 0.15 quicker than the previous record set by American Michael Johnson in Seville, Spain in 1999.

He did this after spending time training with Usain Bolt in Jamaica to improve his top end speed last year and also competing in the 300m meter event at last year's Racers Grand Prix. However, the South African now says that he will be turning his focus to the 200m event, where Bolt currently holds the world record of 19.19 seconds.

Van Niekerk has been named as one of the headliners for this year's meet and Bolt, who attended yesterday's launch, said that he knows that he possesses the character needed to challenge the record.

"I dunno, I dunno. Just knowing him, he's a very determined person and he trains really hard," Bolt said. "(I know this) By just hanging around him and talking with him. So running the 200m there's a possibility that if he gets the speed up and the strength, then anything is possible."

There has not yet been an announcement on what event will feature van Niekerk, but word is expected at another Racers Track Club press conference before the event on June 10."