Semenya wins first race since gender ruling defeat

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Caster Semenya won the 800 meters at the Doha Diamond League meeting on Friday in her first race since losing her appeal over a controversial gender ruling, claiming "Actions speak louder than words."

The South African, a two-time Olympic champion, timed one minute and 54.98 seconds to defeat Burundi's Francine Niyonsaba, who clocked one minute and 57.75 seconds and Ajee Wilson of the U.S. in one minute and 58.83 seconds.

Semenya's victory could be her last over 800 meters with new IAAF rules governing testosterone levels coming into operation on May 8.

Asked if she intended to take hormone-suppressing treatment, she said: "Hell no. No way."

"I don't know what will happen next. But no one should tell me what to do. If people want to stop me from doing something, that's their problem, not mine."

After setting a new meet record, she told the BBC: "Actions speak louder than words. When you're a great champion you always deliver."

"With me, life has been simple. I'm just here to deliver for the people who love and support me. I'm enjoying each and every moment of my life maybe because I have the love I need from my people."

South Africa's Caster Semenya after winning the women's 800 meters event at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Monaco, July 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

Semenya, 28, was only added to the 800 meters start list in Doha on Thursday morning, a day after her appeal against a new rule regulating testosterone levels for women athletes was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

She had challenged the measures, introduced by the IAAF, which will force women with higher than normal male hormone levels, so-called "hyperandrogenic" athletes, to artificially lower the amount of testosterone in their bodies if they are to continue competing.

The rules will come into effect next Wednesday and will apply to athletes competing in races over distances of 400 meters to the mile.

Semenya hinted at quitting the sport in a tweet Thursday, saying: "Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage. Walking away with your head held high is dignity."

After her win on Friday, in the same city where she hopes to feature in September's world championships, Semenya said she was fighting a bigger battle beyond the track.

(Cover: South Africa's Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the women's 800 meters event at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar, May 3, 2019. /AFP Photo)

Source(s): AFP