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.
DJ Suga has been with Good Hope FM since 1996, starting as a weekend DJ and working her way to becoming the first female DJ to have a primetime, weekday slot on commercial music format radio in the city. Her current show is broadcasted every Monday to Friday from 09-12am. Born in 1976, Suga can […]
Nicci Robertson is a renowned South African speaker and wellness consultant who has dedicated her career to helping organizations foster healthier, happier, and more productive work environments. Specializing in staff wellness, work-life balance strategies, executive wellness coaching, and stress management, Nicci has become a trusted advisor to companies seeking to enhance employee well-being and optimize […]
Sthembiso Phakathi is a distinguished advisor and keynote speaker specializing in organizational transformation. With over two decades of expertise, he has successfully guided organizations through the complexities of business performance, strategic leadership, and transformative growth. Recognized for his ability to inspire and equip leaders with actionable strategies, Sthembiso’s insights resonate deeply in today’s dynamic corporate […]
Nick Mallett is a Professional Motivational speaker and TV Commentator and is one of the leading authorities on Rugby and has coached not only the Springboks but most recently Italy. Arguably, South Afrcia’s most successful rugby coach ever — prior to Dr. Rassie Erasmus, Nicholas Vivian Howard Mallett was born on October 30, 1956 in […]
Bryan Habana, a name synonymous with excellence in the world of rugby, is a legendary South African rugby player and one of the most electrifying athletes to grace the sport. Renowned for his blistering speed, strategic gameplay, and unparalleled determination, Habana has etched his name in history as one of the greatest wingers of all […]
Nambitha Mpumlwana wears many hats – businesswoman, humanitarian, philanthropist, charity patron and many more. She is an inspirational, dynamic woman whose talent has touched many people. Apart from her stardom and entrepreneurship, Nambitha Mpumlwana is an inspirational, dynamic, deeply spiritual and down-to-earth individual. Nambitha’s TV career Award-winning Yizo-Yizo I & II; Interrogation Room I & […]
Vuyolwethu Dubese embodies the essence of innovation and impact-driven entrepreneurship. As an Innovation and Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant, Corporate Moderator, Host of the ESG for SMEs Podcast, and Angel Investor, Vuyolwethu is dedicated to fostering a new era of business that prioritizes societal and environmental impact alongside financial success. With a fervent belief in equitable […]
Sizakele Marutlulle, founder and CEO of a pan-African strategy and advisory firm, is a powerful voice in reimagining business through a human-centered lens. She champions Humancentric Creatives, a pioneering approach that places people, not just profit, at the heart of organizational success. Sizakele’s advisory work guides leaders across the continent to design inclusive futures, build […]
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
