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Caster Semenya tells IAAF to concentrate on catching dopers after appealing against CAS ruling

The South African can temporarily run after the ruling was suspended by the Swiss Federal Tribunal

Nick Mashiter
Wednesday 12 June 2019 10:24 BST
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Caster Semenya trains in Doha, Qatar in May

Caster Semenya has told the International Association of Athletics Federations to focus on catching dopers after her first race following an appeal against the governing body.

The double Olympic 800m champion has appealed the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling which approved the IAAF’s plans for a new testosterone limit.

It is for female athletes who want to compete internationally between 400m and a mile.

Semenya can temporarily run after the ruling was suspended by the Swiss Federal Tribunal with the appeal pending.

She is battling to defend her 800m title at the World Championships in Doha later this year and has been included in South Africa’s provisional squad.

“I’m not an idiot. Why will I take drugs? I’m a pure athlete. I don’t cheat. They should focus on doping, not us. I’m never going to take drugs,” she told the Daily Mail after winning the 2000m at the Meeting de Montreuil in Paris on Tuesday.

“I always run every day. For me it is my daily bread. I really don’t have time for nonsense, for messages for anyone, I made it clear a long time ago that I am going to focus on myself and not anyone.

“They (the IAAF) have a problem with me, I don’t have a problem with them. That is their business to worry, not mine. I came here to deliver and I have delivered.

Semenya is continuing the fight against the IAAF and CAS’ ruling (Getty)

“I am not going to talk about the appeal. I am not the lawyer, all I can answer with is my performance. What I do best is perform and my actions will speak louder than words.

“I am just going to keep doing what I do best. People will provoke you but for me negativity does not exist.”

PA

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