Van Dyk sixth in marathon as Team SA’s 2016 Games come to an end

Seven-time Paralympian Ernst van Dyk wrapped up Team South Africa’s 2016 Paralympics with a sixth-spot finish in the wheelchair marathon on Sunday.

And fellow ‘veteran’ Fanie van der Merwe was honoured as the team’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony later in the day.

Van Dyk 43, who on Thursday had won gold in the road race, ended with a time of 1hr 30min 11sec, the only SA competitor in action. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won in 1:26.16.

‘Conditions were very extreme and the the heat was severe,’ said Van Dyk. ‘Marcel Hug made an attack after the first turning point, and I saw David Weir just gave up.’

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