Just days after two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya lost her legal challenge against the IAAF's controversial rule regulating testosterone levels for women, the ace athlete won the 800m race with a timing of 1.54:800 in the Diamond League in Doha, Qatar.
The triumph marked Caster's 30th consecutive 800m race win and she achieved the feat in style with a new meet record timing.
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"It was an amazing race. When you open up a stadium like this, you've got to give the people a show," she said after the race.
Semenya's victory could be her last over 800m before new IAAF rules governing testosterone levels come into operation on May 8. “Actions speak louder than words. When you're a great champion you always deliver,” she told the BBC after setting a new meeting record.
“With me, life has been simple. I'm just here to deliver for the people who love and support me. I'm enjoying each and every moment of my life maybe because I have the love I need from my people,” she added.
Asked if she intended to take the medication required to lower her testosterone levels, she later told reporters with a smile: “Hell no, that's an illegal method.”
The 2016 Olympics gold medallist also stressed on inspiring the younger generation. "If kids look up to you, you must keep doing what's best for them. It's no longer about us, it's about the future, the next generation. We keep inspiring them and you know.. life goes on."
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the requests for arbitration filed by Semenya and Athletics South Africa (ASA) concerning the IAAF's eligibility rules for athletes with differences of sex development (DSD).
She will have to also reduce her T levels in order to defend her 800m title in September's World Championships in Doha.
The rule is applicable in women's running events ranging from 400 metres to the mile. The exact limit will be five nanomoles of testosterone per litre of blood.
Semenya and ASA argued the regulaitons should be declared invalid and void with immediate effect. Yet, although a CAS panel did consider the regulations to be "discriminatory", it ruled by majority that "such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF's aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics".
( With inputs from AFP )
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