Athletics: Semenya gets Van Niekerk backing as she targets longer
distance
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[April 26, 2019]
Olympic 400 meters champion
Wayde van Niekerk has backed South African compatriot Caster Semenya
in her battle with the International Association of Athletics
Federations (IAAF), which now appears to have taken a new twist.
Semenya, a double 800 meters Olympic gold medalist, is waiting for
the outcome of her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
to halt the introduction of new regulations by governing body IAAF
that would require her to take medicine to limit her natural levels
of testosterone.
The IAAF wants female athletes with differences of sexual
development who run in events from 400 meters to a mile, to reduce
their blood testosterone level to below five (5) nmol/L for a period
of six months before they can compete, saying they have an unfair
advantage.
"She's fighting for something beyond just track and field, she's
fighting for woman in sports, in society and I respect her for
that," Van Niekerk told reporters.
"I will support her and with the hard work and talent that she's
been putting into the sport. With what she believes in and what
she's dreaming for, I've got a lot of respect for her.
"I really hope and pray that everything just goes from strength to
strength for her."
Semenya has sprung a surprise at the on-going South African
Athletics Championships though, ditching the 800 meters and instead
competing over 1,500 and 5,000-metres - the latter one would not
require her to medically lower her testosterone level.
She stormed to victory in the 5,000-metres final in a modest time of
16:05.97, but looked to have lots left in the tank as she passed the
finish line.
Semenya beat fellow Olympian and defending national 5,000m champion
Dominique Scott in Thursday's final but the latter admitted she is
unsure whether the 800m specialist could be a serious Olympic
contender over the longer distance.
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South Africa's 400m Olympic gold medallist and world record holder
Wayde van Niekerk looks on as he attends South African Championships
in Germiston, South Africa, April 25, 2019. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
"Honestly‚ I have no idea‚" Scott said. "Before today I probably
would have said no. It's hard to compare a 5,000 at altitude to a
5,000 at sea level.
"But I think she's an amazing runner and I don't think there's any
limit or ceiling on what she can do."
Van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder, had to abort his comeback
from a knee injury, that had sidelined him for 18 months, following
a combination of cold weather and a wet track.
"We are trying to take the correct decisions now early in the year
so as not to put myself in any harm," he said.
"It was a bit chilly this entire week prepping and coming through
here as well it was quite cold and it caused bit of tightness in my
leg. We decided to not risk it.
"My recovery is going well and I would like to be back in
competition this year, but will only do so if I can deliver a good
performance.
"I am a competitor and respect my opponents, so I need to be at my
best when I return."
(Reporting by Nick Said, additional reporting by Siyabonga Sishi;
editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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