Caster Semenya Wins 800m Race in Doha Days After Losing Testosterone Case

South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has won the 800m race at the Diamond League meeting in Doha.

The Olympic Champion won the race on Friday in 1 minute, 54.98 seconds two days after she lost a landmark case against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over the rules seeking to suppress her testosterone levels.

This is her last race before the implementation of the controversial rules seeking to limit testosterone levels in female athletes with Differences in Sexual Development (DSD). The regulations take effect on May 8th.

The introduction of the rules means Semenya must now begin to take drugs to lower her testosterone levels if she wishes to compete in events from 400 meters to a mile.

The rules require such female athletes to medically limit the level of testosterone to below 5 nmol/L.

Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength, and hemoglobin, which affects endurance.

Speaking after winning the race on Friday, the 28-year-old said she has no plans to retire.

“It’s up to God. God has decided my life, God will end my life; God has decided my career, God will end my career. No man, or any other human, can stop me from running. How am I going to retire when I’m 28? I still feel young, energetic. I still have 10 years or more in athletics."

“It doesn’t matter how I’m going to do it, what matters is I’ll still be here. I am never going anywhere. I’m going to keep on doing what I do best – which is running.”