Caster Semenya has vowed to never take hormone-suppressing medications as required by the new IAAF rules.
The South African had won the 800 metres at the Doha Diamond League meeting on Friday in her first race since losing her appeal over a controversial gender ruling.
Semenya’s victory could be her last over 800m before the new IAAF rules governing testosterone levels come into operation on May 8.
However, asked if she intended to take hormone-suppressing treatment, the South African, a two-time Olympic champion, said: “Hell no. No way.
“I don’t know what will happen next. But no-one should tell me what to do. If people want to stop me from doing something, that’s their problem, not mine.”
Semenya has set a new meet record with this win.
Semenya, 28, was only added to the 800m start list in Doha on Thursday morning, a day after her appeal against a new rule regulating testosterone levels for women athletes was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
She had challenged the measures, introduced by the IAAF, that will force women with higher than normal male hormone levels — so-called “hyperandrogenic” athletes — to artificially lower the amount of testosterone in their bodies if they are to continue competing.
The rules will come into effect on May 8 and will apply to athletes competing in races over distances of 400m to the mile.
After her win on Friday — in the same city where she hopes to feature in September’s world championships — Caster Semenya saidsaid she was fighting a bigger battle beyond the track.
“This is all about inspiring the world. This is more than a game, more than sports. This is about human dignity, human pride. What you do if you’re inspiring the world.
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“People fight me, I don’t fight them. I live life and I enjoy it.”
Aleck Skhosana, president of Athletics South Africa, told AFP in Johannesburg that Semenya’s performance had put her critics firmly in their place.
“We are excited that Caster has done what she is known for … despite all the challenges that she is facing,” said Skhosana.
“We encourage her to stay focused and do what she does best — which is to run and conquer the world.”
Elsewhere on Friday in the Qatari capital, Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith cruised to victory in the 200m.
The European champion won in a season-leading 22.26sec ahead of Jamile Samuel of the Netherlands and Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare.
Kenya’s Elijah Manangoi won the men’s 1500m, holding off a late charge from training partner Timothy Cheruiyot to win in 3min 32.21sec.
Hellen Obiri also starred for Kenya with the world cross country champion powering home to win the women’s 3000m in 8min 25.60sec.
AFP
