Superstar of African athletics, Caster Semenya, however, only finished sixth in the 5,000 meters of the 2022 African Championships, on June 9 in Côte d'Or. A distance that the double Olympic champion…

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Caster Semenya: “Our leaders must fight for their athletes”

South African Caster Semenya during the 2022 African Athletics Championships. AFP - FABIEN DUBESSAY

Text by: Christophe Jousset Follow

4 mins

Superstar of African athletics, Caster Semenya, however, only finished sixth in the 5,000 meters of the 2022 African Championships, on June 9 in Côte d'Or.

A distance that the two-time Olympic 800-meter champion and three-time world champion in the double lap of the track now practices because hyperandrogenic athletes are excluded from all races ranging from the 400 meters to the mile, unless they have their testosterone levels reduced.

A situation that the 31-year-old South African, who eventually wants to run on the road, continues to denounce.

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Caster Semenya, how was your competition?

Caster Semenya

: I think the competition went well for me.

I did my own race.

I liked that.

I'm happy with the way I finished.

I think as a distance athlete, when you learn, it's in small steps.

You can't rush.

Ultimately, a competition does not determine your results.

Obviously, this is my first big 5,000 meters.

Everyone started like that and me too.

You have a long-term project.

The 5,000 meters is part of a long process.

Can you explain this to us?

I don't consider the 5,000 meters as my main objective.

My main focus is road racing.

Right now, I'm trying to learn to pace my running, to be competitive.

In two or three years, I will be on the road.

So it's only a small step.

Even Eliud Kipchoge was a 5,000 meter runner before.

He won a world title in the 5,000 meters and then became a great marathon runner.

I am a very positive person.

So it's not results like today's that can disappoint me.

I think it's great to show up and display that sportsmanship.

For me, it's about getting better every time I run.

Was it very important for you to be present at these African Championships?

It's about paving the way.

As I often say, during my first career, I came here and I won.

That doesn't mean I'll always win.

For me, it's about coming here to represent my country and my people.

People want to see me run and be happy.

For me, it's not about winning.

I won all the major titles.

I'm the tallest they've ever seen.

Now it's just about humanity, showing people that even if someone can stop you from achieving what you want to achieve and even more, you can still do it.

So the haters, they can go to hell!

It's that simple !

Can you tell us about your fight for inclusion?

We have cowardly leaders.

To be honest, on this continent, people are silent.

I don't know why they are silent.

They don't fight for their own athletes.

They're just quiet and sitting there enjoying the privilege of being on the board.

It's a shitty situation.

They have to fight and show up for the athletes.

When I was 18, I couldn't speak openly.

Now I have the words to do it.

Imagine what goes through the minds of kids.

They can't do anything, but our leaders are just enjoying their privileges.

Absurd !

You have to show up, work, fight for your athletes.

And then African athletics will be great.

But right now it's disappointing...

Will you continue this fight?

Sure !

It's not about me.

These are young children who will face the same problems.

There are a lot of kids who want to compete in the 400, 800 and 1,500 meters.

But they cannot be integrated.

If you're a leader, you're here to represent the athletes and not spout nonsense like, "

Hey, these athletes aren't female enough.

"Bullshit! What about men? Not all men are very muscular, there are big ones and little ones, they don't all have the same qualities, some have advantages that others don't. Why do we Don't take it out on them? Because you're cowards! We're not going to stop the fight. We want to keep showing them that their study is nonsense. It's not suitable, it's not valid. If you want to be racist and you want to categorize women, then you've come to the wrong place. You need to pack your bags and go home, and let the people who understand humanity stay in this sport. Sport is for everyone. But in this moment, it is not for everyone.

Caster Semenya: “Our leaders must fight for their athletes”

Caster Semenya: “Our leaders must fight for their athletes”

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