South Africa’s golden girl, Caster Semenya has extended her four-year unbeaten streak in the 800 metre after cruising to victory at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting at Stanford University in northern California.
Semenya finished in one minute 55-point 70 seconds, almost three seconds ahead of the United States’ Ajee Wilson.
It is the first time she took part in the 800 metre since the beginning of May after she lost her court challenge against the International Association of Athletics Federations new rules which banned her from taking part in track events over distances of 400 metres to a mile unless she takes medication to control her testosterone levels.
That ruling was subsequently put on hold by a Swiss Federal Tribunal pending a full hearing, leaving Semenya free to compete until a final decision in her case.
Semenya told reporters at last night’s event that she will not take part in this year’s World Championships if she loses her legal battle with the IAAF even though she is allowed to compete over longer distances.
