CASTER Semenya cruised to victory in the 5,000 metres at the South African athletics championships on Thursday, a potential new distance as she waits for the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an appeal against regulations seeking to limit her testosterone level.
Semenya looked in complete control as she won in a time of 16:05.97 on the opening day of the championships, which serves as an important test for the South African team going to the World Championships in Doha in September.
Semenya made a rare run in the longer distance after earlier cruising into Friday’s final of the 1,500m with a time of 4:30.65, well below her personal best.
Although she barely broke a sweat, her 1,500m time was nine seconds quicker than the second fastest qualifier.
Semenya is waiting for the outcome of her appeal asking CAS to halt the introduction of new regulations by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that would require her to take medicine to limit her natural levels of testosterone.
The IAAF wants female athletes with differences in sexual development to reduce their blood testosterone level to below a stipulated concentration for a period of six months before they can compete, to prevent any unfair advantage.
But this is limited to events ranging between 400m and a mile, and so would not include the 5,000m, leaving Semenya free to compete unhindered. – MailOnline
