Semenya
trimmed nearly 15 seconds off her personal best by crossing the line in 15
minutes 52.28 sec — 42.28 sec outside the Tokyo qualifying time of 15:10.
The race
was staged at an altitude of 1,339 m (4,393 feet) and Semenya is considering
running the same distance at sea level, where the air is less thin and times
generally faster.
“If the
guys in Durban (sea-level city) do something in May, I might run,” Semenya said
after her victory.
The
qualifying deadline for Tokyo is June 29 with the Games scheduled from July 23
to August 8.
Semenya
cannot defend the 800m title in Japan as she refuses to abide by World
Athletics’ testosterone-reducing regulations covering distances from 400m to
the mile.
South
African is among a minority of female athletes who have an unusually high level
of testosterone, which gives them added strength.
Two legal
bids by the South African to overturn the ban have failed and she has taken her
fight to the European Court of Human Rights, who have not indicated when the
case will be heard.
“I am
pretty happy with how I ran (today) — it is all about having fun. I can’t
really focus on Tokyo if I’m still building up myself at the moment.”
The
30-year-old winner of the London and Rio 800m Olympic gold medals turned the
tables on her training partner Glenrose Xaba, who clocked 15:55.25 and had
beaten Semenya comfortably in a regional meet two weeks ago.
Last year,
Semenya announced she would pursue Olympics 200m qualification.
But the
three-time 800m world champion has changed her mind, believing distance races
will lengthen her career.
“I am 30
years old and if I were to do sprints it would be a risk to my muscles. In
distance (running), there is more time to find consistency,” said the
three-time world 800m champion.
AFP
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