New 400m world record holder was just as excited about Liverpool beating Arsenal

Published Aug. 15, 2016 12:13 p.m. ET

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South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk didn't just win a gold medal in the men's 400m Sunday night in Rio, the 24-year-old beat two former Olympic champions and smashed Michael Johnson's world record, which had stood for 17 years. Despite starting in a dreaded outside lane, van Niekerk finished in 43.03, well ahead of Kirani James and LaShawn Merritt, and more than a tenth of a second under Johnson's pace. 

What was van Niekerk doing in the hours leading up to his big race? Watching Liverpool beat Arsenal in a 4-3 thriller. 

Via the Independent: 

Johnson was serving as a commentator during the race for BBC, and the American was blown away.

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