Five years after his last race in a major competition, the London World Cup in which he won gold in the 800s, and four years after his last appearance with the South African singlet, at the Commonwealth Games in which he won 800 and 1500, Carsten Semenya she is back on track even if no longer as a middle distance runner.
Forced to compete in the 5000 meters due to the regulations of the international federation which, since 2018, prohibit her and those in her natural condition (excess of testosterone) from competing in women's trials between 400 and a mile, the South African protagonist of many legal battles, lost, for the recognition of his rights as an intersex athlete, has disappointed.
In fact, she only finished 13th in her semifinal, a race conditioned by the heat given Eugene's 34 degrees at the time of the test.
The two-time Olympic champion of the 800 she ran in 15: 46.12 time more than 45 seconds higher than that of the 15th position of the overall ranking of the two semifinals, the last useful place to access the final.
"I feel like I was crushed - his words in the mixed zone after the race -, on the track it was really too hot, and I couldn't keep up with the pace. Anyway it's part of the game and I tried as long as I could. anyway, it was nice to have raced here, and even just completing these 5000 was a blessing for me. I'm having experiences and I'm willing to do more. "
Semenya was able to take part in these World Championships despite the fact that she was only sixth in the race of the South African Championships.
But then a series of resignations by other athletes had opened the doors for Eugene to return to the national team.
