Semenya wins Prefontaine 800
EUGENE, Ore. — South Africa’s Caster Semenya set a meet record in the 800 meters at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday while controversy swirls about a rule that could limit her from competing at the distance.
Semenya defended her title in the event in 1 minute, 55.92 seconds, which is also the top mark in the world this year. American Ajee Wilson was second in 1:56.86.
Semenya is the two-time Olympic and three-time world champion in the 800. But she could be impacted in the future by a new rule that has drawn criticism.
The IAAF, track and field’s international governing body, announced last month that starting on Nov. 1 it will limit entry for all international events from 400 meters through the mile to women with testosterone levels below a specified level. The IAAF maintains that women with unusually high testosterone levels have a competitive advantage over other women.
South Africa has said it may challenge the hyperandrogenism rule in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Semenya was asked afterward about the rule. “I’m not going to talk about it, because I’m here to perform. To be honest, I’m just an athlete, you know? There’s nothing I can do, there’s nothing I can say about that,” she said.
Semenya was among the sport’s highest-profile athletes at the only U.S. stop on the international Diamond League series.
Ronnie Baker won the men’s 100 in a wind-assisted 9.78 seconds, besting fellow American Christian Coleman in breezy but sunny conditions at historic Hayward Field.