Caster Semenya is a winner. The 29-year-old South African is the two-time women’s 800m Olympic champion, a three-time 800m world champion and a double Commonwealth Games middle distance gold medallist. To wrap those figures in further context, when Semenya won the Doha Diamond League 800m in May 2019, it was her 30th consecutive victory over […]
Caster Semenya is a winner. The 29-year-old South African is the two-time women’s 800m Olympic champion, a three-time 800m world champion and a double Commonwealth Games middle distance gold medallist. To wrap those figures in further context, when Semenya won the Doha Diamond League 800m in May 2019, it was her 30th consecutive victory over the distance.
Put simply, when fit, in-form and free to run without distraction, Semenya is almost unbeatable over the 800m. But these are not circumstances often afforded to Semenya, who lives with a condition in which her body produces a much higher level of testosterone than most other women.
In 2009, on the eve of the women’s 800m World Championship final, it was revealed that World Athletics (then the IAAF) had asked her to undergo gender verification testing. Semenya was permitted to compete in the final and won gold but was subsequently stopped from competing for nearly a year.
In 2011 the IAAF established official rules restricting female athletes with elevated levels of testosterone, arguing it presents an unfair advantage. From 2011 to 2019 Semenya was locked in a cycle of appeals and court cases until the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favour of IAAF regulations stating that female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) are required to take testosterone-reducing medication to compete in track events from 400m to the mile.
Caster Semenya has appealed against this judgement to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. But in March 2020 the soft-spoken athlete revealed on social media that she now aims to compete in the 200m.
“My dream has always been, and will continue to be, to compete at the highest level of sport and so in order to pursue my goals and dreams I have decided to change events and compete in the 200m,” said Caster Semenya, whose personal best in the 200m at the time was 23.49 seconds.
Do not bet against Caster Semenya lowering that to the Olympic qualification mark of 22.80 seconds in time for Tokyo 2020. This, after all, is an athlete who won the 400m, 800m and 1500m in the space of three hours one extraordinary afternoon at the 2016 South African National Championships.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Facebook
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Sophia the Robot is a marvel of artificial intelligence and robotics, captivating audiences worldwide with her human-like appearance and advanced conversational abilities. As the world’s first robot citizen and the inaugural robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, Sophia embodies the intersection of technology and humanity. Her presence challenges our perceptions of AI […]
Lesang Tshoke is an intelligent and creative individual, who strives for perfection in all that he sets out to accomplish, no matter the scale of the challenge. Spending most of his childhood raised by a single mom and his elder sister, Lesang’s colourful ventures in life begin in 1998, where he discovered his love for […]
Captain Londy Ngcobo is a distinguished figure in the maritime industry, acclaimed as a Global Ship Navigator and Africa’s First Female Dredge Master. Her unwavering passion for unlocking Africa’s oceanic potential has defined her illustrious career spanning over 13 years. With a robust educational background in Maritime Studies and extensive experience in International Merchant shipping, […]
Mpho Maboi is a commanding presence on any stage, celebrated across South Africa as a premier event emcee who brings unmatched poise, energy, and finesse to every occasion. With a career that spans both television and radio, she seamlessly blends professionalism with authenticity, ensuring every event is memorable, smooth, and impactful. Her magnetic charisma and […]
Beks Ndlovu is not just a safari operator; he’s a storyteller of Africa’s untamed beauty. His journey from a young boy in Zimbabwe to the founder of African Bush Camps is a testament to his dedication to preserving the continent’s natural heritage. Through ABC, Beks offers immersive safari experiences that connect travelers to the heart […]
Renate Riedemann is an accomplished violinist and established musician in the South African music industry. Born and raised in Cape Town, she completed her B.Mus degree at the prestigious University of Stellenbosch with distinction and went on to receive her Honours degree in Musical Performance (Violin) the following year. Under the guidance of violinist Suzanne […]
Dricus Du Plessis known as “Stillknocks” has become a household name in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), representing South Africa on the global stage. His career is defined by grit, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As a guest speaker for conference events and fireside chats, Dricus brings a wealth of knowledge […]
Lynette Ntuli is a visionary leader and trailblazer in the realms of property development, infrastructure, and enterprise asset management. As the Founding Director and CEO of Innate Investment Solutions, a distinguished professional services firm in the built environment, she spearheads a team dedicated to providing unparalleled property and infrastructure development services alongside cutting-edge enterprise asset […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
