Pillay said his preparations at the training camp in Montpellier had gone well. “I was getting all the splits, I was getting PBs in training … it just feels like the wheels have fallen off. I don’t have answers. It would be easier to say ‘I’m sick’ or ‘have an injury’, but I honestly have no answer and it’s shattering …
“It’s sport, it happens.”
But now Pillay has to get ready for the men’s 4x400m relay heats on Friday.
With Benjamin Richardson out of the 4x100m relay, the 4x400m could be South Africa’s last chance of a medal in Paris. But Pillay, Nene, Wayde van Niekerk and whoever else is chosen to run as the fourth must be on form.
“I have to get myself together, I have a team to run for and I have to be strong for them, for myself,” said Pillay. “It’s a nice vibe, but I do feel like I owe a responsibility to my team to be at my best because it’s not just about me, it’s about us. Obviously I don’t want to let down to the team, I want to be able to contribute.”
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All the Team SA results here.