Akani Simbine showed his form ahead of the Paris Olympics by setting his season's best at the World Athletics Diamond League meeting in London, England on Saturday.

Simbine took the runner-up spot in the men's 100m race in 9.86 seconds, slicing 0.08 off his previous best time this year (9.94).
He equalled the fastest time run by a South African this season, matching Benjamin Richardson's 9.86, and missed his own South African record (9.84) by just 0.02.

World champion Noah Lyles of the United States won the race in 9.81 - the third fastest time in the world this year - while Letsile Tebogo, the silver medallist at last year's World Championships in Budapest, set a Botswana national record of 9.88 in third position.

"I think we've got the time right now and so it's just time to fix up a little bit of the race ahead of the Olympics," Simbine said. "The crowd is always amazing in London. I always run fast here and it's just an awesome place. It feels good and I'm happy with my race."

Simbine, a two-time Olympic finalist, will join Richardson and Shaun Maswanganyi in the men's 100m event at the Paris Games next month. The experienced sprinter will also anchor the SA 4x100m relay team.

"It's always nice to speak about such a focused athlete," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. "He has been consistent throughout last season and has had a fabulous build-up towards the Olympics. We can be confident that he will enjoy the Games in Paris. 

"Congratulations to Akani, his coach and his entire support staff."

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About Athletics South Africa:
Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of the World Athletics and the Confederation of African Athletics.  The association was formed in 1995 and is based in Johannesburg.

ENDS