The two-time Olympic Athletics champion Caster Semenya signed for the JVW Soccer Club , a team of the women's soccer league in her country , the athlete confirmed on her social networks today, although she will not be able to jump into the field until next season.
"Happy to announce my signature with @jvwgirlsfootball (JVW Soccer Club) for the 2020 season. I look forward to this trip," Semenya said Friday on her Twitter account.
His entry into the world of football comes after months of controversy and legal battles with the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) for the decision of this body to implement standards that restrict testosterone levels in women in tests in which Semenya is a specialist .
Currently, the case is still in the hands of the courts of Switzerland, to which the South African athlete appealed after losing her first legal pulse with the IAAF, an appeal filed with the Court of Sports Arbitration (TAS, also based in Lausanne) .
Despite this, the regulations are in force and, given its resounding refusal to take medication for rules that it considers discriminatory, Semenya will not be able to defend her 800-meter world champion title in Doha at the end of this month.
"Who else can't wait to see @ caster800m (Caster Semenya) in action?" The Sasol League, the official name of the national women's soccer competition in South Africa, tweeted this Friday, along with the official statement of the JVW Football Club.
This team, in a blue shirt and based in the central province of Gauteng, belongs to Janine van Wyk, the captain of the South African soccer team.
" Semenya has put on a new challenge in her already illustrious career taking the football field," the entity said in a statement dated Thursday.
"The renowned 28-year-old South African athlete always loved football. During her younger years, Semenya played soccer at school and trained every day, so it is no surprise that she has set her sights on playing competitive football," added the JVW.
As the 2019 league has already closed its deadline for the registration of new signings, Semenya will train in the coming months to be ready for its football debut in the 2020 season .
"I am grateful for this opportunity and I appreciate the love and support I have already received from the team," said the South African star, much loved in her country, according to the JVW statement.
Olympic champion in London 2012 and Rio 2016, Semenya is one of the best known athletes with hyperandrogenism in the world.
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