Middle-distance runner and former world champion Caster Semenya, 23, made history in 2009 when she drastically improved her time for the 800-meter race, prompting rumours about her gender. Born on January 7, 1991 in Limpopo, South Africa, Semenya has many awards to her name due to her extreme speed and athleticism.
These include a silver medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics and a gold and silver medal in the 2009 and 2011 World Championships. Semenya, 23, has tried to stay out of the media spotlight. She was the subject of a genetic testing scandal and earlier this year, was rumoured to be engaged to another female athlete.
Here are 10 things you didn’t know about runner Caster Semenya.
1. Her father wanted a boy
Back in 2009 when Semenya became the focus of media attention, most people focused on the results of genetic tests. Few people, however, took the time to think about how she was actually raised. Although her father, Jacob Semenya, had wanted a boy, he was proud of his daughter and happy at her birth, saying he supported her throughout her life.
2. It was hard to train early on
The Moletije Athletics Club got international attention when Semenya became famous as it had represented her in her early start. Semenya grew up in a poor, rural town and despite her rise to fame, her home club still faces hardship. Late in 2009 when Semenya was already famous, club runners back home were still running on a dirt road that they couldn’t use during the rainy season.
3. The 800m isn’t her favourite
Most people assume that Semenya’s favorite race is the 800 meters as this is what she typically runs and how she has won most of her medals. She told the Guardian, however, that she actually prefers the 1500-meter race. It gives her the ability to “sit back and relax” during the race, planning her time, she said. She also is worried about getting injured from running the 800-meter race.
4. No romance with Violet Raseboya, but friendship
Caster Semenya has denied rumours that she and Violet Ledile Raseboya, another female runner, are engaged. She insists they are best friends. In fact, she wears a bracelet with the letters “V4C” that Violet gave her.
5. Has chatted with Kelly Holmes
When Kelly Holmes, another Olympic runner, was in Cape Town, Semenya had the chance to talk with her. Holmes gave her inspiration and advice to keep running as she would have plenty of opportunities in the future.
6. Her idol is Maria Mutola
Although Caster Semenya has met Kelly Holmes, her idol is Maria Mutola, a three-time 800-meter world champion. Semenya relates to her because they both love football, with Mutola transitioning to the sport after a running career. Semenya got her start with the sport when she was young.
7. Loves music
Even when other runners were avoiding Semenya in 2009, she didn’t get nervous before races. Instead, she would just listen to music, relax, and get in the mood to run. She likes all types of music including hip hop, gospel, and especially the South African gospel singer Oleseng Shuping, who died in 2010.
8. She loves South African food
Despite having traveled the world, Caster Semenya’s favourite food is still one of the South African classics, mielie pap, a traditional porridge similar to grits made from cornmeal and a staple food in Southern Africa. When she’s in her own country, she eats some variation of it most days.
9. Gender testing had been on a hiatus
Before Semenya became a news story for gender testing, there had been a temporary stop in the practice. Gender testing for the Olympics started back in the 1960s but about a decade previously, the International Olympic Committee decided not to test anymore due to the lack of ways to do so. After the controversy over Semenya, however, it had to reexamine this decision. It was announced after her victory at the 2009 World Championships that she had undergone gender testing.
10. She has taken hormone treatments
After the International Association of Athletics Federation ruled that women need to be within a certain range of testosterone levels, rumours have abounded that Semenya is one of the athletes who takes hormones to stay within this range. This has made her appear more feminine with rounder features.
Source: SDE
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