Caster Semenya has convincingly won her first heat of the 800 metres at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday to qualify for the semi-finals.
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Caster Semenya, USA's Ajee Wilson and Britain's Shelayna Oskan-Clarke compete in the Women's 800m Round 1 during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 17, 2016.
Image: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Image: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
Semenya won the heat with a time of 1:59.31.
The current world record is 1:53:28 with the Olympic record standing at 1:53:43.
Semenya was the 6th fastest runner in the heats, with Melissa Bishop of Canada clocking 1.58.38 to take the fastest position in the qualifiers.
Many observers insist Semenya, the world No1 this year, will add another gold to South Africa's haul of seven medals - one gold, five silver and a bronze.
The semi-finals are on Thursday (Rio time)‚ which means Semenya – dubbed the “Unlimited Cobra” by her fans‚ would have Friday off ahead of Saturday’s final (Rio time). South Africans can watch the semi-finals on Friday morning and finals on Sunday morning at 2.15am.
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