Semenya switches to 200m for Olympics
Sports Reporter
Runner Caster Semenya has said she hopes to compete in the 200 metre race at this year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
Semenya has been prohibited from defending her 800 metres Olympics title because she refuses to adhere to testosterone regulations set by the World Athletics governing body.
Semenya, and other female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD), are banned from competing in races between 400 metres and the mile unless they take testosterone-lowering medication.
Semenya must clock a 22.80-second 200 metres to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Her best time, achieved last Friday in Pretoria when winning a provincial championships final, is 23.49 seconds.
“My dream continues to be to compete at the highest level of sport; in order pursue my goals and dreams, I have decided to change events and compete in the 200 metres. This decision has not been an easy one, but I look forward to the challenge, and will work hard, doing all I can to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and compete to the best of my ability for South Africa,” she said.