‘Focused on performance, not regulations’
London, Aug. 8: As always, Caster Semenya is focused on racing, not regulations.
And she has some big goals, too. The South African plans to be around for a while, and maybe dominate the 1,500 metres the way she has the 800.
After falling over the line to earn bronze in the 1,500m on Monday at the World Championships, Semenya was flooded with questions about a longrunning dispute over whether females with excessive testosterone should be allowed to compete.
In 2011, the IAAF instituted restrictions on athletes with hyperandrogenism, but a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned that.
The governing body is appealing, with a decision possible next year. Asked about it, Semenya said: “I have no time for nonsense. I’m an athlete. For me, it’s their own decisions,” she said. “Like I said before, my focus is more on getting healthy and competing. I really don’t have time for nonsense.”
In the race, Semenya moved from fifth to third over the final 100 metres thanks to her signature finishing kick the one that turned her into an Olympic champion in the 800.
Up for a new challenge, she’s trying her hand at the 1,500m and is still learning the nuances of going four laps instead of two.
In this one, she allowed too big of gap and couldn’t catch winner Faith Kipyegon of Kenya or silvermedalist Jenny Simpson of the United States.
“I learn every day. For me, it’s quite an amazing performance. Next time, I’ll do better,” Semenya said.
If there is a next time. A recent scientific paper found that women who produce higher-than-normal amounts of testosterone have up to a 4.5 per cent advantage over their competition on the track. Semenya advised Dutee Chand, also facing a gender row, to focus more on training than “boring and nonsense” discussion on her gender test.
Semenya feels sorry for Chand as she is facing an uncertain future, just like her. “She just needs to focus more on training and doing better for herself. I feel sorry for her, she is still young. But we are not the same, I do my things my own way,” Semenya said.