Fly, fly, our beloved sister...

ALITTLE after 2 o’clock tomorrow morning, if everything happens the way we hope, then we’ll get to see something just as precious as another gold medal for our country. We’ll get to see that hounded, hassled and harassed young woman, Caster Semenya, finally smiling.

Caster hasn’t done much smiling during the course of the Rio Olympics.

(We call her Caster because she is our daughter; she is our sister.)

The debate about her gender, whether she is a “real” woman and whether she enjoys an unfair advantage on the athletics track, has been fuelled by her rivals, by foreign journalists and by the haters in cyberspace.

She’s kept a stony face as she’s matter-of-factly dealt with the first round and the semi-finals of the 800m. We have no idea what she’s thinking. Nor do her challengers.

Nor do they have any idea what there might still be to come. That should not surprise them because the mark of a true champion is a discipline and self-control which gives nothing away.

What we will say to those who line up against Caster tomorrow is this: Be worried. Be very worried.

We understand, but find it very sad, that our Olympic authorities have pulled down a media blanket over Caster. She needs to have as little distraction as possible and have her headspace clear of hate and negativity.

It would also be tragic if the officials decide tomorrow to whisk her away from the track, under guard, as soon as possible, to prevent possible negative reactions, or worse, from the fans of her rivals or those who can’t accept her triumph.

She should not be robbed of the sweetness of victory. And we must not be robbed of that sweet smile...