Caster Semenya was a late entry into Friday’s Diamond League 800m in Doha, the last top-level meet before a rule goes into effect that’s expected to keep her out of her trademark event for the next five months and perhaps the rest of her career.
Semenya’s name was added to the 800m start list less than 24 hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against her in a landmark decision, supporting the IAAF’s testosterone limits for races between 400m and the mile -- Semenya’s main events.
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“I know that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically,” the two-time Olympic 800m champion Semenya said in a Wednesday statement. “For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back.”
On Friday, Semenya is entered with the women who joined her on the podium at the Rio Olympics and the 2017 World Championships. Silver medalist Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi is also expected to be affected by the new IAAF rule.
Semenya is undefeated at 800m the last three seasons.
Runners have until next week to meet the testosterone limit and must do so for at least six straight months before being eligible to compete in those events. In an exception, the IAAF will allow runners to reduce the levels by this deadline and compete at the world championships starting in late September.
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