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Gold winner Caster Semenya of South Africa celebrates alongside silver medal winner Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and bronze medallist Margaret Nyairera Wambui of Kenya. Photo: Reuters
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South Africa’s Caster Semenya brushes off doubters to win 800m gold in Rio as controversy murmurs on

Controversial runner produces devastating sprint finish to claim Olympic crown, four years after being denied by Russian dope cheat Mariya Savinova

Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
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Controversial South African runner Caster Semenya produced a devastating sprint finish to claim the Olympic 800-metre crown, four years after being denied gold by Russian dope cheat Mariya Savinova.

The 25-year-old 2012 silver medallist turned on the gas with 150m to go, crossing the line more than 1.20 seconds clear in one minute, 55.28 seconds at the Olympic Stadium.

Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi took silver in 1:56.49 with Kenya’s Margaret Wambui claiming bronze in 1:56.89.

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“I used to be a sprinter, I ran the 100m, 200m in high school,” Semenya said of her finish.

“It was just a fantastic race. Obviously, there can only be one winner and it turned out good for me. It wasn’t about running fast, it was about running a good race.”

Semenya has been at the centre of a raging controversy in recent years because of her naturally occurring condition, hyperandrogenism, which causes elevated testosterone levels.
Semenya beat out Britain’s Lynsey Sharp (C), who had earlier said the South African was beatable. Photo: AP

Rival runners have said they want authorities to revisit rules that limit the amount of testosterone allowed in competitors.

Partially in response to those rumblings, world athletics chiefs implemented restrictions on testosterone levels in 2011.

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Following the introduction of those rules, Semenya’s times slipped, with many assuming she was taking medication to keep her testosterone levels within acceptable limits.
Semenya streamed away to win by over a second. Photo: AP

She was still good enough to take silver behind Savinova in London however. The Russian is facing a lifetime ban from the sport after evidence implicating her in doping.

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And when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) restrictions illegal, Semenya was free to compete in her natural state.
Semenya (R) reacts next to Melissa Bishop (L) of Canada and Lynsey Sharp (C) of Britain after winning the women’s 800m final. Photo: EPA

Hours before Saturday’s final, IAAF chief Sebastian Coe indicated the world body would seek to revisit the issue in future.

Semenya however would not be drawn on the issue.

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“Tonight is all about performances,” she said. “We’re not here to talk about the IAAF. We’re not here to talk about speculations.

“We’re here to talk about the 800m that we ran today.”
Semenya celebrates winning the 800m final. Photo: AFP

Semenya never looked in trouble in Saturday’s final, biding her time after a 57.59 opening lap.

Niyonsaba hit the front with around 300m to go but Semenya was always within striking distance.

With 150m left she made her move, calmly accelerating clear to take the lead as the race for silver and bronze unfolded behind her.

Canada’s Melissa Bishop dug deep in the home stretch but was just pipped for bronze by Wambui.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Controversial Semenya charges to 800m victory
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