Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
‘Nomination is a dream come true’
SOUTH Africa’s Olympic women’s 800m champio, Caster Semenya, says it is a dream come true to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards, to be held in Monaco on February 27.
“As an athlete, obviously we have goals, we have dreams, but this is one of the dreams that I dreamt, from a young age, watching sportsmen and sportswomen on top of the world, being nominated.”
Semenya said it was special to be selected among the best in the world.
“When you check the likes of Michael Johnson, for me, it’s a very special feeling. It’s someone that I looked up to…watching what he has accomplished. It’s just amazing.”
Semenya has been nominated in a group of very famous sportswomen: tennis players Serena Williams and Garbine Muguruza, swimmer Katie Ledecky and sprinter Allyson Felix.
“Those are great sportswomen. Great in what they do. I respect their work. I follow their work. They are phenomenal.
“They are strong. I have one word for them: fantastic.
“I feel blessed, privileged to be among a list of great women like that. May they keep working hard and God bless them. Being nominated with the best, I feel like I am a winner already.”
Looking back at her career, Semenya is quick to pick out the highlights.
“Rio (Olympics in 2016) is one of my highlights and obviously back then (at the World Championships in 2009) was my first time on the scene.
“But I was a young girl, I had to grow. I had to be mature.
“I had to find a way to make decisions and make right ones. I think winning in 2009 and winning in Rio are the best moments of my life, I can never forget.”
And talking about her goals for 2018, Semenya added: “I’ll start with nationals, middle of March, and then obviously we will have the Commonwealth Games where I will also try the double again, so I can be able to win two golds.
“That is the main goal. And then we still have African Champs and the World Cup.” – African News Agency (ANA)