South African athlete, Caster Semenya, who has faced a lot of controversy over her gender has won an Olympic gold in 800m women’s athletics in a national record of 1.55.28 on Saturday night.
South Africa's Caster Semenya wins 800m gold 'hands off'
Semenya missed out on the world record of 1:53:28 but still made her country proud as they expressed support for her on social media with the hashtag #HandsOffCaster.
The silver medal was picked by Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba in 1:56.49 and Kenya’s Margaret Nyairera Wambui took the bronze medal in 1:56.89.
“I have meant a lot to my people. I have done well. They are proud of me. And that was the main focus. I was doing it for my people, the people who support me,” Semenya is quoted as saying.
The 25-year-old was diagnosed with hyperandrogenism suspected to be responsible for her high testosterone levels giving her masculine features.
“It’s not about looking at people, how they look, how they speak, how they run. It’s not about being muscular. It’s all about sports. When you walk out of your apartment, you think about performing. You don’t think about how your opponents look. You just want to do better. I think the advice to everybody is to go out and have fun,” she said.
Since her impressive performance as an 18-year-old in the world championships in 2009 in Berlin which won her gold in 800m, the IAAF and the media has raised a lot of questions.
She underwent tests and after clearance, won silver at the London Olympics. The IAAF further implemented regulations in 2011 making female athletes cap testosterone levels, but was later suspended for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in July.
Caster Semenya told the BBC after her victory that her critics are building her strength: “They’re making you a better person. People should learn how to unite. Sport is all about uniting people and not discriminating. I feel sorry for them.”
#HandsOffCaster iaaforg And all other hyperandrogenic athletes pic.twitter.com/vUB6SHPfB4
— King R (ntlahla_mcetywa) August 21, 2016
So #linseysharp is complaining about supergenes gift from God to caster800m ohh!! Well we say #HandsOffCaster the Rose from Mzansi
— Tumaezav12 (Maezav12) August 21, 2016
sebcoe #HandsOffCaster Do more to stop performance enhancing drugs. Do not compel Caster to take performance detracting drugs. #IAAFbullies
— Michael Connaughton (ConnaughtonMick) August 21, 2016
There isn't a woman braver than Caster! Look at her face that wild Anaconda with no fear #HandsOffCaster pic.twitter.com/XKW0eiDsNk— Bluebirdy (@Thabo_Bluebird) August 21, 2016
Just come for our Caster and watch your mentions become a mess. We're not here for your nonsense. Asizuva ngani. #HandsOffCaster— Mabawuyeke ✊ (@miss_andisa) August 21, 2016