Caster Semenya through to 800m Olympics semi-final

Caster Semenya through to 800m Olympics semi-final

Caster Semenya has won her 800 meter heat at the Rio Olympics on Wednesday afternoon.

Caster Semenya_wikimedia
File photo: Wikimedia

She won in a time of 1:59.31 seconds and qualifies automatically for the semi-finals.


That semi-final will be on Friday. Semenya is aiming for her second Olympic medal after winning a silver at the London Olympics in 2012.


Semenya said it was not an easy race.


"It was hard outside. I was just trying to hang on and feel my body first so I can feel comfortable. I tried to get into the top two in the last 200m and try to maybe win so I can be safe for the semi-final," she said.


She is a clear favourite to break the 33 year-old women's 800m record, but Semenya said she was not focussing on records.


"I'm just focussing on winning my championships so I can better my 800m. Times don't matter in championships, we've got medals."


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