In a bid to find a suitable event to feature in the Tokyo Olympics, the Double Olympics Champion; Caster Semenya has switched to 5000m.
Earlier today at the South Africa Championship, Semenya won the 5000m by trimming nearly 15 seconds off her personal best after crossing the line in 15 minutes 52.28 sec — 42.28 sec outside the Tokyo qualifying time of 15:10.
” 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.
