PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
South Africa: Semenya gives thanks after Olympic victory in Rio
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa’s golden girl Caster Semenya on Sunday took to social media to thank God and salute her supporters after winning the women’s 800m final in Rio.
"All the glory goes to the man upstairs for giving me strength and guidance… without him I wouldn’t be here," she said on Facebook. "To my fellow South Africans. Here is OUR medal. WE made it!" she added.
Semenya’s time of 1:55.28 was a personal best and a new South African record. Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi received a silver medal and Margaret Wambui of Kenya a bronze.
President Jacob Zuma and Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula both congratulated her. Democratic Alliance MP Solly Malatsi said Semenya’s performance will be cherished as one of South Africa’s greatest moments in the history of athletics.
“We hope that her achievements will inspire millions of youngsters throughout the country that it is possible to attain the biggest accomplishment in sports through the pursuit of excellence,” he added.
The international media has come under fire for their interest in Semenya’s gender. She has an intersex condition after being born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. She also produces testosterone at a level much higher than most women, prompting concerns on her gender.
Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, it was announced that she had been subjected to gender testing. She was withdrawn from international competition until 6 July 2010 when the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) cleared her to return to sporting activities.
For the first time in 50 years, female Olympians have not been subjected to any form of sex testing in Brazil. As a result, intersex track athletes have been allowed to compete.
-0- PANA CU/AR 21Aug2016
"All the glory goes to the man upstairs for giving me strength and guidance… without him I wouldn’t be here," she said on Facebook. "To my fellow South Africans. Here is OUR medal. WE made it!" she added.
Semenya’s time of 1:55.28 was a personal best and a new South African record. Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi received a silver medal and Margaret Wambui of Kenya a bronze.
President Jacob Zuma and Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula both congratulated her. Democratic Alliance MP Solly Malatsi said Semenya’s performance will be cherished as one of South Africa’s greatest moments in the history of athletics.
“We hope that her achievements will inspire millions of youngsters throughout the country that it is possible to attain the biggest accomplishment in sports through the pursuit of excellence,” he added.
The international media has come under fire for their interest in Semenya’s gender. She has an intersex condition after being born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. She also produces testosterone at a level much higher than most women, prompting concerns on her gender.
Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, it was announced that she had been subjected to gender testing. She was withdrawn from international competition until 6 July 2010 when the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) cleared her to return to sporting activities.
For the first time in 50 years, female Olympians have not been subjected to any form of sex testing in Brazil. As a result, intersex track athletes have been allowed to compete.
-0- PANA CU/AR 21Aug2016
