Akani Simbine on being underestimated: ‘I will make a final, you will not count me out’

947’s Robert Marawa chats to Olympic silver medalist Akani Simbine.

Simbine finally clinched an Olympic medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after South Africa finished second in the Men’s 4x100m final. 

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Many commentators consistently overlooked the South African for the podium at tournaments but that didn’t slow him down.  

“They always try and look over me, but there is one thing that I have always proven year after year, I will make a final and you will not count me out of a medal.”

– Akani Simbine

“My career has been a career of constantly showing up… Yes, I don’t have the medal... but the fact is I am always there… I still show up.” 

– Akani Simbine

Taking his learnings and experiences, he hopes to develop sport and athletics at a grassroots level with the Akani Simbine Foundation.

Launched with his wife Terisa, the foundation focuses on three key areas – sport, education and welfare.

“For me, my career has been just a blessing, just to know that I am able to touch a lot of people and a lot of people’s lives. It’s not something I intended to do… I was just running because I love running.”

– Akani Simbine

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion