Gender controversy teen claims world 800m gold
SOUTH AFRICAN teenager Caster Semenya put the controversy surrounding her true gender to one side and stormed to World Championship gold in the 800m last night.
Britain’s Jenny Meadows finished brilliantly to take bronze, but all eyes were on Semenya, who has been asked by world chiefs to take a test to prove she is a woman.
The 18-year-old did not appear affected by the storm, however, as she won in a time of one minute, 55.45 seconds – some 2.45 seconds quicker than defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei, who took silver in Berlin. Semenya burst onto the scene this year and earlier this month in Mauritius beat her previous personal best by a staggering seven seconds.
South African athletics chiefs insist they are “completely sure” Semenya is a woman, but the IAAF says it asked her to take a test three weeks ago.
Meadows was sixth heading into the home straight but found a fresh burst of pace as her rivals flagged and snatched third place on the line.
“Finishing strongly has become my strength,” she said. “I thought a medal was up for grabs as long as I kept my composure. I did. I was actually gutted I didn’t get silver in the end but I can’t complain.”