She Did It! Caster Semenya Grabs Gold for South Africa!
As predicted South African athlete Caster Semenya raced her way to Gold in the Women’s 800m event at the Rio Olympics Saturday evening. With her country united behind her – as she faced controversy and “Haters” (because of her higher levels of testosterone than most women) – Caster focussed on her dream… and transformed it into a […]
As predicted South African athlete Caster Semenya raced her way to Gold in the Women’s 800m event at the Rio Olympics Saturday evening.
With her country united behind her – as she faced controversy and “Haters” (because of her higher levels of testosterone than most women) – Caster focussed on her dream… and transformed it into a reality.
South Africans stayed up late or woke up early to watch Semenya in the two-lap race at 02:15 SA time on Sunday morning.
Although she finished in a brilliant time of 1:55:28, she didn’t break the world or Olympic records. Jarmila Kratochvílová with a time of 1:53.28 (1983) remains the World Record holder; and Nadezhda Olizarenko with a time of 1:53.43 (1980) continues to hold the Olympic Record.
After the race Semenya sought out each of her competitors to congratulate them.
This is South Africa’s tenth medal at #Rio2016, and second Gold (the first being from Wayde van Niekerk).
SA also has six Silvers and two Bronze medals.
Earlier in the week South Africans threw their support behind Semenya on social media with hashtags #HandsOffCaster and #Caster4Gold – resulting in her tweet: “Thank you South Africa… I feel proud to be a South African ..Thanks for the Love and Support.. I’ll make you proud.”
Tonight she did just that.
now I can go to bed! she did it!!! #caster4gold. pic.twitter.com/pzSfmdh8Fe
— Euphodia (@Eu4dia) August 21, 2016
On Twitter:
Gold Gold Gold for Caster 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅 proudly South African. @caster800m was never a doubt
— Wayde van Niekerk (@WaydeDreamer) August 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/767154408593522689
And once again, we present to you, our Queen of 800m & Olympic Gold medalist Caster Semenya, our Golden Girl pic.twitter.com/F6uJvdw7i4
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 21, 2016
SA’s Minister of Sport also jumped to Semenya’s defence after Associated Press made the following comment:
BREAKING: Caster Semenya, the face of track's dilemma dealing with hyperandrogenism, wins Olympic gold in the women's 800 meters.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 21, 2016
Fikile Mbalula tweeted back:
https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/767159789365452801
South Africans on Twitter in the early hours of the morning, before the race #StayingAwake4Caster:
Me right now… 😪 #TeamCaster #Akulalwa pic.twitter.com/iK6pcI3252
— Terry Pheto (@TerryPheto) August 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/swetfortune/status/767135661052878849
Havibg so much coffee n eating cold apples just to watch Caster take what's hers #GOLDMEDAL #TeamCaster
— Matshaya (@MaNxeleNomava) August 20, 2016
Whether she wins tonight or not, but her bravery has already won our hearts, all of as humanity #TeamCaster
— Glen Dukes (@GlenDukes) August 20, 2016
#TeamCaster is Team Half Asleep right now. Aziye 🙂 pic.twitter.com/0Oxz6j7YJS
— Jesus' Fave🙏🏽👑 (@lulushezi) August 21, 2016