Semenya fails to qualify for Olympics

NAMPA / AFP Star South African athlete Caster Semenya failed again on Friday in Durban to qualify for the 5 000 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games.She clocked 15 minutes 32.15 seconds - 22.15 seconds outside the qualifying time of 15:10.00 - for the 23 July to 8 August Games in the Japanese capital.Semenya won a race arranged so that the 30-year-old could attempt to book a place in the South African Olympic team.It was her second bid to qualify after clocking 15:52.28 last month in Pretoria at an altitude of 1 339 m.Posting a quicker time in Indian Ocean port city Durban was expected as runners breathe easier at sea level.Struggle continuesSemenya has been the Olympic champion twice and world champion three times over 800 m, but is barred from competing over that distance by World Athletics' testosterone-reducing regulations.The South African refuses to take medication that would reduce her testosterone levels and has twice failed in legal battles to overturn the World Athletics decision.She recently took her case to the European Court of Human Rights, but it is unlikely to be heard before the Olympics begin.Reacting to the ban, Semenya initially favoured seeking qualification for the 200 m, but became concerned about potential injuries and switched to 5 000 m.The International Olympic Committee has set 29 June as the qualification deadline for athletes wanting to compete in Japan.

Semenya fails to qualify for Olympics

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Republikein 2025-11-05

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Semenya fails to qualify for Olympics

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