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Team SA meets its 10 medals target at Rio Olympic Games

Semenya secured Team SA's 10th medal at the games in a time of 1 minute 55.28 seconds.

South Africa’s Caster Semenya celebrates after she won the Women’s 800m Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on 20 August, 2016. Picture: AFP.
South Africa’s Caster Semenya celebrates after she won the Women’s 800m Final during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on 20 August, 2016. Picture: AFP.
& Jean Smyth | 1891 days ago

JOHANNESBURG - Team South Africa has reached its target of 10 medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games thanks to Caster Semenya.

Semenya secured Team South Africa's 10th medal at the games in a time of 1 minute 55.28 seconds.

The 25-year-old went into the race as one of the hottest favourites in sporting history and her season's best of 1min 55.33sec was almost a full second ahead of her closest rival.

Starting in lane three, the Limpopo-born star surged ahead with less than 200 metres to go and continued to open a significant gap before crossing the line.

Speaking on the sidelines of the track, Semanya says although it was fast race her coach told her to pace herself.

"The race was a little bit quick. The first 400 we positioned ourselves. It was just about dedication and about doing what you do best.

"My coach just told me to be patient and wait for the right moment and obviously we know we're quicker last 200, we just have to utilize it. It was just fantastic to run with athletes like this, the field was good."

Gallery: Caster Semenya's golden moments

On Friday, Semenya crossed the line in a time of 1:58.15 to qualify with the fastest time from the semi-final heats.

On Wednesday, she cruised to victory in her heat in a time of 1:59.31 to book her spot in the semi-finals but it's the intense media spotlight that she's under that's proving to be a major story in Rio.











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