Charismatic Caster's 'Scintillating Saturday'
Caster Semenya took the women’s 800m by the scruff of the neck with 180 metres to go, shook it and left it in her wake recording a 1:55.28 a new South African record.
After setting the initial pace
Semenya and Francine Niyonsaba shared the lead coming of the bend where the
Burundian took charge to go through the bell in 57.59.
Semenya patientlyawaited her moment, with Margaret Wambui first to show signs of making a move pushing up from fourth as they entered the final bend.
South Africa’s final medal hope stepped out on the bend with 180 metres to go claiming back the lead as she entered the home straight then eased away to set her new Personal Best.
“The race was a little bit quick and the first 400 we were pushing ourself, which was great,” said Semenya running through her race. “It was about being patient, The coach just told me to be patient and wait for the right moment. You just have to look alive for the last 200.
It was (all about) being patient with the great athletes like this.
"I just want to congratulate everyone who made this race. Those who were in the semi, those out in the first round, unfortunately it is only eight people who make the final – It was just a fantastic race,” continued the Potshefstroom based athlete, who is coached by Jean Verster.
“I know I am strong over the final 200m. The coach told me to go out and just have fun with the ladies.”
Prior to the Olympics there was talk about doing two events, but eventually the decision was take to focus solely on the 800m
“The time difference was not going to favour us so we just have to focus on the 800 and then get done with it and we focus for the future,” Said Semenya
“So I think it was a wise decision. It’s a 5 hours time difference behind, when you compare with South Aftican times I’m sleeping when I’m running”
Now that she has the 800m Olympic Gold medal out of the way she is keen to consider other options.
“We will look at whether to do 400m or 1500m: I am still young so 400m will still favour me and it’s something I am still looking forward to,” said Semenya the first South African woman in 65 years to win an Olympic Gold
Then there is that hanging question of the world record set back in 1983.
“This was never about times, this was about position, and Gold. At the end of the day its about being the best you can be,” said Caster who confirmed that she is happier now than after London Olympics
“Yes of course that's one of the things that happens when you get married”
Shortly after Caster Semenya had secured South Africa’s tenth medal and second gold, Elroy Galant went into battle in the 5000m which also say Britain's Mo Farah successfully complete his bid to defend both the 5000m and the 10,000m titles from London 2012
A reasonable opening pace saw Farah adopt his usual conservative tactics that let him run from behind.
With three laps remaining they clocked 10:09, and Farah started to inject some speed hoping to take the edge out of athletes trying to use a burst of speed in the last 200m up. As that increased Gelant found it harder to keep contact and once the thread was broken the started dropping back to finish 14th in 13:17.
Farah put a kick in at 200m to go, then again with 80 metres remaining to cross the line in 13:03, securing his double with the 10,000m
Gelant may not of improved his personal best or placed highly, but it wasn't for the lack of effort, and one that saw him finish in 13:17.
All in all it was a scintillating Saturday night in Rio 2016 on the penultimate day of the Games and athletics.
Later today (14:30 RSA) the athletics will conclude with the men's marathon.