LeBron James becomes Semenya fan as testosterone battle drags
South African track star Caster Semenya can add LeBron James to the list of admirers ahead of her showdown with the international track and field governing body. James watched the world and Olympic 800m champion win a race last month in Berlin. She’s his fan, and they’re both Nikesponsored athletes.
“You know, in American language they say ‘you’re dope,’” said a smiling Semenya, who wore James’ white and gold Nike shoes with a lion head on the back. “He told me to keep on working hard, I’m a special kid. I was deeply touched.”
James is just one of Semenya’s global fans, supporting a fight against world track officials that’s dragged on nearly a decade. The IAAF wants to limit the eligibility of female middle-distance runners
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who have naturally high levels of testosterone . Semenya — who has not often spoken openly about the challenges — is taking control of her message, joining Nike sponsored-athletes like James, Colin Kaepernick and Simone Biles in a series of ads.
In the video “I was Born to Do This,” Semenya asks: “Will it be easier for you if I wasn’t so fast? Will it be simpler for you if I stopped winning? Would you be more comfortable if I was less proud?” Semenya says her audience is not her critics or competitors. “It’s just to inspire the youth, to be honest, They see light in me. So they can see a better future.”
Semenya received the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award on Wednesday night from the Women’s Sports Foundation and Billie Jean King.