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Wayde vows never to 'do the double' again

Cape Town - Wayde van Niekerk will not be doubling up at major athletics events in future after the completion of the IAAF World Championships in London.

Van Niekerk had a 2017 world championship to remember after successfully defending his 400m world title.

It looked as if the South African star would achieve the elusive 200m/400m double, which hadn't been done in 22 years.

Michael Johnson completed his 200m/400m double at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg and in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

However, Turkey's Ramil Guliyev ruined Van Niekerk's bid when he edged Van Niekerk in the 200m final in London.

Guliyev stopped the clock in 20.09 with Van Niekerk settling for silver a mere 0.02 seconds adrift to cap off his successful World Championship campaign.

Van Niekerk told CNN's World Sport that he'll be focusing on one event at major championships in the future.

"I'd love to improve all three events (100/200/400m), but I'm definitely not doubling up again," said Van Niekerk.

"I think it was a tough six days for myself.

"I really tried my best to give my best every single day because I knew every day would be a new challenge ... I really feel the championship was a success."

Van Niekerk now turns his attention to the IAAF Diamond League on Thursday, August 24 at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich.

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