Caster Semenya not going after world record
By Lloyd Burnard | News24.com |
Caster Semenya is safely into the semi-finals of the women’s 800m at Rio 2016 after she eased to a win in her heat at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday morning.
The time was slow – 1:59.41 – but it was a performance that reminded just how dominant Semenya is in this race.
She is expected to win gold on Saturday night (Sunday morning, SA time) and will be on the track again on Thursday night (Friday morning, SA time) in the semi-finals, and there are many who feel that Semenya will seriously threaten the world record in one of those two races.
But the 25-year-old insists that she is not even thinking about breaking Jarmila Kratochvílová’s time of 1:53.28 that was set in 1983.
“I’m not focused on the records, I’m just focused more on enjoying my championship,” Semenya said after her race.
“Times don’t matter in championships … what matters is a gold medal, silver or bronze so we don’t worry about times at the moment.”
On her race, Semenya said she struggled in the 32 degree heat.
“It was not easy. It was pretty hot outside. I was just trying to hang on and try to feel my body first so I can feel comfortable,” she said.
“I tried to just get into the top two over the last 200m and maybe try and win so that I can be safe for the semi-finals.
“I’m just trying to run my own race so I can do better … so far we’re good.”
