Caster Semenya to run at World Championships

The two-time Olympic 800m champion, Caster Semenya, has been selected by Athletics South Africa to run in the women’s 5,000m at the World Championships in Eugene, Ore. Her inclusion was unexpected after she didn’t hit the worlds qualifying time for the 5,000m and was not included on the original announcement of the South African team.

Semenya was added to the team after some higher-ranked runners didn’t enter the 5,000m, which qualified her on World Athletics points. The 5,000m heats (scheduled for July 20) will be the first time Semenya has competed on the world stage since the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where she won both the women’s 800 and 1,500m.

The 31-year-old middle-distance runner has turned to the 5,000m after being barred from her preferred 800m by World Athletics regulations affecting women with conditions that cause high natural testosterone (called 46 XY DSD, also known as hyperandrogenism).

The current WA rule from 2019 requires women with the condition to undergo medical interventions to lower their natural hormone levels if they want to run in races between 400m and one mile. Semenya and other runners who fall under the DSD rules have refused to do so and have been forced to compete in other events.

So this is my take on this social media thing, when you are busy debating, hating,judging,criticism and trying to making fun of me, i am all here living my life chilled not to have to worry about anyone's social updates daily but mine without no ones validation.☝️

— Caster Semenya (@caster800m) July 7, 2022

Although she will not be one of the favourites in the 5,000m due to her lack of experience, her presence at these championships will draw attention.

Semenya has been at the front of the testosterone battle for over a decade, but she’s not the only athlete affected by the World Athletics DSD rules. Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi, the silver medallist behind Semenya in the 800m at the 2016 Olympics, has also been forced to change distances. Niyonsaba was listed to run in the 5,000m in Eugene and was one the favourites to win a medal. Niyonsaba was ruled out of the championships due to a stress fracture on Tuesday. 

The 2022 World Athletics Championships are set to begin on Friday, July 15, from Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Follow Canadian Running on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.