Van Niekerk v Makwala in 200m showdown

Aug 9, 2017; London, United Kingdom; Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA) poses with the gold medal after winning the 400m during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics at London Stadium at Queen Elizabeth Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

LONDON (Reuters) - Wayde van Niekerk's bid for 200 metres gold to complete the 200/400m World Championship double is the highlight of Thursday's action but, popular as the South African is, the crowd's sympathies are likely to lean towards Isaac Makwala.

After being refused entry to the 200m heats and 400m final because of illness, Botswana's Makwala was given a second chance and ran a solo heat on Wednesday.

Athletics - World Athletics Championships – Men's 200 metres heats extra run – London Stadium, London, Britain – August 9, 2017 – Isaac Makwala of Botswana competes REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

He got the time he needed before coming through the semis to set up a mouth-watering clash in a wide-open event that has been won by the absent Usain Bolt at the last four World Championships.

The women's 400m hurdles final, the women's 200m semis and the men's triple jump final are the pick of the rest of the evening's events.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)