Two-time Olympic champion, Caster Semenya claimed her 30th consecutive 800m victory in 1min 54.98sec (the third-fastest of her career and the eighth quickest outdoors of all time) as she won the Women’s 800m race at the IAAF Diamond League race in Doha on Friday evening.
Earlier in the week, Semenya lost her case against the international athletics body in its bid to change its rules for female athletes who have higher testosterone levels who compete in the 800 to 1500m events.
On the track in Doha, Semenya seemed to be in the mood as she went past her pacemaker with ease, stretching the gap on her rivals halfway through the second lap.
Semenya got to the 400m mark in 56.66secs with closest rival, Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi left flailing as the South African picked up speed to win by about 20 metres.
Semenya celebrated her victory by throwing her flowers into the crowd and posed for photographs with a big thumbs-up sign and smile.
When she was asked whether she would take testosterone-suppressing medication to keep racing at events ranging from 400m to a mile, she said “Hell no,”.
“Actions speak louder than words,” Semenya added. “When you are a great champion, you always deliver. No man, or any other human, can stop me from running.”
She also insisted she plans to run at the world championships and still has 10 years in the sport. “It doesn’t matter how I’m going to do it. What matters is I’ll still be here,” Semenya said.
Semenya has 30 days to appeal the CAS ruling.
