Embattled South African Athlete, who is currently in court with IAAF, on controversies around her gender; has won a 5000m marathon race, retaining her title as the South African champion.
Recall we reported that, Limpopo-born and a double gold Olympic medalist, Caster Semenya has always had to fight the policing of her body since her talent was discovered as a child. At one point she walked naked into a change room to prove her “sex”. Semenya’s humiliation continued as she continued to break local and international track records. IAAF and other races would order a surprise body search to ensure that she was indeed female.
Caster Semenya
According to BBC, The 30-year-old won the title in 15 minutes 52.28 seconds – 42.48 seconds;,outside the Olympic qualifying time.
Semenya will be unable to defend her 800m title after a controversial World Athletics rule changearound testosterone levels in female runners.
“I’m getting old‚ I’m scared to tear my muscles,” she said of the 200m event.
The qualifying deadline for Tokyo is 29 June.
Semenya is a two-time Olympic champion in the 800m and won the 1,500m at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
But under World Athletics rules, she is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile unless; she takes drugs to reduce her naturally high levels of testosterone.
She said in March 2019 that she would aim to compete in the 200m in Tokyo; but now feels it would be too much pressure on her body.
“We had to sit down and make sure that the decision that we make makes sense. Distance makes sense.
“We’re happy with what we’re doing‚ we’re having fun. At training each and every day, we don’t stress.”
Caster Semenya says she will not attempt to qualify for the 200m at the Tokyo Olympics after defending her national 5,000m title in South Africa.
