IF ONLY MORE PEOPLE COULD BE LIKE CASTER

DID YOU hear what Caster Semenya said about the IAAF’S new female eligibility rules? Neither did I because other than a short statement from her lawyers, Semenya did all the talking with her feet.

Every step at every meet, whether on home soil or on the international stage, she planted with deafening defiance.

Semenya deserves every accolade that comes her way and should be a role model for every young aspiring athlete.

She dropped the odd social media post subtly telling the IAAF to go stuff their new regulations.

Although Semenya stayed in her lane she sent out a strong statement throughout the season that she will not be bullied.

The IAAF announced its new regulations in April which would attempt to regulate women that naturally produce testosterone levels above five nanomoles per litre.

The new policy would be limited to athletes that compete in events ranging from the 400m to the mile and would come into effect November 1. Semenya responded to the regulations by smashing records left, right and centre in all three distances.

She has been a category-five hurricane on the track this season, showing the middle finger to her detractors.

Semenya finished the year unbeaten in the 800 metres for the third consecutive year.

Her list of accolades tells a story of unrivalled dominance. The list includes Commonwealth 800m and 1500m gold medals, African 400m and 800m titles, a second consecutive Diamond League 800m series title, Continental Cup 800m gold medal and 400m silver.

She set new South African records in the 400m, 800m, 1000m and 1500m, demonstrating incredible versatility never seen before.

When she set a new South African record in the one-lap sprint Semenya became the first female athlete to dip below 50 seconds in the 400m, two minutes in the 800m and four minutes over the 1500m distances.

While Semenya may rightly feel she had been discriminated against since she started her career in 2009, she has never responded in anger.

There have been moments where she has shown her irritation over questions about the testosterone regulations but she has always kept it classy.

Her approach has been refreshing against the backdrop of a culture of outrage that festers on social media platforms.

The public response to the US Open women’s final is an example of how society seems to have lost the middle ground.

There were varying degrees of outrage following the match, with people making standpoints for or against Serena Williams’ response to what she believed was sexism on the part of chair umpire Carlos Ramos.

Differing views are essential for critical thinking to take place, but too often social media platforms become a place where people get lost in their echo chambers.

I have read copious amounts of opinions on both sides of the spectrum and I can honestly say I cannot pick a side and that is fine.

We do not always have to have an opinion. Sometimes it is better to guard your tongue and sometimes our actions speak louder than words.

If only more people could be more like Caster…