SOUTH AFRICA: As the South African Olympic team return home silver medallist Caster Semenya defends herself against allegations that she did not try to win the 800 metres at the Olympics

Record ID: 458546

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: As the South African Olympic team return home silver medallist Caster Semenya defends herself against allegations that she did not try to win the 800 metres at the Olympics
  • Date: 15th August 2012
  • Summary: TEAM SOUTH AFRICA ARRIVES
  • Embargoed: 30th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2SGEY1G5RVE43HIQZMMGK8LQ6
  • Story Text: Olympic silver medallist Caster Semenya has defended herself against allegations that she did not try to win the 800 metres at the London Games on Saturday (August 11).
    Semenya was talking at Johannesburg Airport where South African team were given a warm welcome on their return from the Olympics.
    The South African who was forced to undergo gender testing after her 2009 world championships triumph, started poorly in the final, sitting at the back of the field until she produced a late burst to finish second to Mariya Savinova, 1.04 seconds behind the Russian.
    Her performance led to speculation that Semenya had deliberately avoided winning so as not to stir up fresh controversy like that in 2009.

    "Maybe I won silver so, whatever people are saying they will always talk," Semenya said. "They know nothing about athletics most of these guys. They just watch us run, they don't know what we are going through in life, so there I tried my best."
    Semenya, who clocked one minute 57.23 seconds in the final, said she was satisfied with a silver medal but would be looking to go one better in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
    South Africa's sports minister Fikile Mbalula praised the South African team's performance at the Olympics.
    Team South Africa finished 23rd in the medals table, which made them the highest African nation in the rankings. South Africa Sports Confederations and Olympics Committee (SASCOC) had set the ambitious target of 12 medals for the London 2012, but only managed to score six medals - three gold, two silvers and one bronze. At Beijing 2008, Team South Africa only managed to bring one medal home.
    Swimmers Chad le Clos and Cameron Van Der Burgh both won gold medals with South Africa claiming their third in the men's lightweight four rowing event.

    "Today we are united, black and white, because of your deeds," said Mbalula. "Like London set to inspire a generation, you have inspired a nation."
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