Semenya’s winning start, but stark choice ahead

Caster Semenya provided the perfect response to being told she has to take drugs or change events if she wants to continue competing by storming to victory in the 800m in the opening Diamond League meeting of the season in Doha last night.

Two days after the legal judgment which will force her to take medication to reduce her testosterone levels if she wants to be eligible to defend her world title later this year, the two-time Olympic champion did what she does best.

The South African powered clear of the field to claim a comprehensive victory in what could prove to be her last last international 800m race.

Semenya sat on the shoulder of the pacemaker early on before bursting away to cross the line in 1:54.98, the fastest time in the world this year and a meeting record.

The 28-year-old is the dominant force in women’s 800m running: a five-time global champion, the fourth fastest in history over the distance, and world number one for the last three seasons.

Following her 30th straight 800m victory Semenya said: “Actions speak louder than words. When you are a great champion you always deliver.”

“I’m excited winning here in Doha. “The first race of the season is tough, and you may not be able to predict how your body is going to respond to the push, but the weather is great and it was wonderful tonight.

“For me, I believe nothing is hard in life because it is up to you how you take life. As an athlete I believe in sportsmanship, and what sports teaches you is to keep pushing on despite all odds.

“I know life can be difficult at times but I’m a believer and I believe there is always a way to resolve issues. One of my firm beliefs is that there is always a way out for everything.

“So if a wall is placed in front of me, I jump it. I’m going to keep enjoying my life and live it. I will keep on training and running. To me, impossibility is nothing.”

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to rule the controversial testosterone limit for female runners introduced by athletics world governing body the IAAF “necessary”, even if it is “discriminatory”, is set to have major ramifications on the rest of her career.

The stark choice facing Semenya now is: start taking hormone suppressants – the IAAF says she and other athletes with differences of sex development have until May 8 to reduce their testosterone levels to five nanomoles/ litre of blood serum; change events, with all from the 400m to the mile affected by the IAAF’s new regulations; or retire. It is not just a choice facing her. Burundian Francine Niyonsaba, who finished second to Semenya in 1:57.75, as she did at the 2016 Olympics and 2017 World Championships, will also be affected by the rules.

Meanwhile, Scottish record holder Lynsey Sharp’s bid to reset her career following 12 months of disappointment looks to be on hold after finishing ninth in 2:01.51, third in the 2019 UK rankings headed by Laura Muir’s indoor mark of 1:59.50.

After missing out on a medal at last summer’s European Championships and failing to earn a spot on the British team for last March’s European Indoors in Glasgow, the 28-year old Edinburgh athlete has moved from her San Diego training base linking up with British Athletics in-house mentor David Harmer in Loughborough.

Sharp has made comments in the past suggesting that Semenya held a clear advantage over her rivals, most notably when setting the Scottish record of 1:57.69 in finishing sixth behind winner Semenya at the Rio Olympics final.

Elsewhere Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith also claimed an emphatic victory in Doha, clocking 22.26 to win the 200m.

Nijel Amos of Botswana took the honours in the men’s 800m.

World champion Ramil Guliyev won the men’s 200m in 19.99.

Track and cross-country world champion Hellen Obiri of Kenya claimed victory in the 3,000m in 8:25.60.

British athlete Meghan Beesley was sixth in the 400m hurdles, long-jumper Lorraine Ugen came fourth, while UK record holder Shara Proctor was eighth.

Charlie Myers went out of the pole vault having cleared 5.46m as American Sam Kendricks posted a winning 5.80m.