Sport
Caster Semenya defends 800 title at South African nationals, but fails to secure Olympics slot
Semenya declined to talk to reporters afterward, but manager Jukka Harkonen said the 2009 world champion would run in the 4×400 relay later Saturday and speak to the media.
The 21-year-old Semenya, whose career was interrupted for 11 months following gender tests in 2009, needs one more time of 1:59.90 or better to qualify for her first Olympics. She has until the Olympic qualifying cutoff of June 30.
It was just her second 800 race of the season. But she was still off the 1:55.45 she ran to win the worlds in her stunning international debut three years ago. She claimed silver at the 2011 worlds in 1:56.35.
Pistorius smiled and waved to fans as he left the track, seemingly unconcerned with his seventh place. He also said he would appear in the 400 relay to finish the two-day nationals.
Earlier, world championships bronze medallist L.J. van Zyl lost his national title to rival Cornel Fredericks in the 400 hurdles. Fredericks won in 48.91 seconds with Van Zyl just finishing second in 51.00. Van Zyl has already qualified for the Olympics.
“It wasn’t my best race,” Van Zyl told The Associated Press. “I’ve got a few niggles that’s bothering me. Nothing serious, I’ll be back. The most important thing for me is to stay injury-free and to stay focused.”
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi won the men’s 800 final in 1:45.78 to just miss the Olympic qualifying mark by 0.18 seconds.
