Although questions about her ability to break the long-standing women’s 800m world-record are lingering over the Joao Havelange Stadium, Caster Semenya has her sights set firmly on a medal at the Rio Olympic Games.
Semenya got a step closer to attaining that goal when she coasted past her heat for a place in the semi-final with a time of one minute, 59.31 (1:59.31).
She posted the sixth fastest time of the heats winning her race in a time of 1:59.31 march into Thursday evening’s semi-final.
“I’m not really focussed on the records, I am just focusing on doing my championships so that I can run a better 800m,” Semenya said.
“Times don’t matter in championships, what matters are the gold medal, silver or bronze, those are titles and we are not going to worry about times at the moment.”
In scorching conditions she did not have to expend to much energy to give her a shot at upgrading her silver medal from London 2012 to a silver medal.
Semenya was measured in her tactics taking staying in the middle of the bunch though the first lap before making her move over the final 200 metres of the race.
Required to finish in the top-two to march onto the semi-final Semenya made sure of her place in the next round winning her race.
Canadian middle-distance runner and 2015 world silver medallist Melissa Bishop closed the fastest time of the heats 1:58.38.
“It wasn't easy it was pretty hot outside, I was just trying to hang on and trying to feel my body first so that I can feel comfortable,” Semenya said.
“I just tried to get a top two and in the last 200m tried to win so that I can be safe for the semi-finals.”
Avoiding the attention from the international media Semenya high-five a fellow journalist in the mixed zone but walked past a few interested onlookers.
Although the South African management team expected some jostling by the international media to speak to the national record-holder.
Semenya is unlikely to field any official questions from the media as she steeled herself for the 800m heats with the hope of qualifying through to the semis and final.
She has somehow been caught up in debates over the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) ruling that testing on female athletes taking testosterone suppressants be suspended.
The CAS made the ruling regarding hyperandrogenism, the presence of high levels testosterone levels, in July 2015 a year ago when Indian sprinter Dutee Chand appealed her suspension from competition.
It ruled the IAAF needed to provide scientific evidence that enhanced testosterone levels translated into improved performances in hyperandrogenic athletes.
British athlete Shelayna Oksan-Clarke, who also qualified into the semi-final fishing third behind Semenya in 1:59.67, welcomed racing against the South African.
“I think it is an akward situation, and it is a hard decision to make but I don't think it is fair for someone not to run,” Oksan-Clarke said.
When asked about her views of the issue, Bishop was firm in her reply saying “I am not here to comment on that right now, I’m here to make that final and do well”.
Semenya is popular among her fellow South African athletes that would often pledge their support for her while she would often make a point of congratulating every single athlete in each final she competes.
Meanwhile, national men’s 5,000m record holder Elroy Galant also made it safely past his heat finishing in seventh place with a time of 13:22.00 to book a place in the final on Saturday.
He ran most of this race from the front knowing the bunch would eventually catch up with him qualifying as one of the fastest losers.
“I faded a bit but in the end I think my strategy worked to get into the final which was the main goal,” Galant said.
“Going into the final on Saturday it is going to be a different ball game where I must stick with them over the last 1000 metres or 800m to go.
“It feels like Phalaborwa, it was really hot out there especially going out in front.” - Independent Media