‘Transition is beautiful’: far from the end of the road for Caster Semenya

The dizzying heights of the Olympics, World Championships and Diamond Leagues are long gone, but middle-distance superstar Caster Semenya is not disappearing from athletics just yet.

A two-time Olympic 800m champion, Semenya was effectively stopped from competing in that event due to World Athletics' regulations requiring athletes with certain differences in sex development to lower their testosterone levels to compete in women's events.

Speaking after she took part in the first instalment of the 2025 Spar Women's 10km Challenge race in Cape Town on Sunday, Semenya said her focus is on development through her Masai Athletics Club.

She is the coach of Glenrose Xaba, who won the race in Cape Town and was last year's Spar 10km Grand Prix series champion and also Karabo Mailula, Karabo More and Karabo Motsoeneng who finished third, sixth and 10th this weekend respectively.

Semenya, who finished in 14th place at Green Point Common Sports Ground, now competes in 10km races and is planning to try out longer distances as she winds down a hugely successful track career and takes to the road.

Semenya said she will continue running while transitioning to coaching and mentoring.

“You have to understand running was never permanent, but it was an opportunity for me to explore the world and grow,” she said.

“Thankfully, I have learnt and I was always prepared to go to another level as a coach, manager or mentor. For me the transition has been simple because I knew I was fighting a battle I could not control [with World Athletics]. 

“Only God has me, can stop me or guide me. He did guide me on the path that fulfilled me to change the lives of the young women and men. It pointed me in the direction I love and am passionate about.

We need to have events here on the continent. Now we go to Kenya to run a cross-country, why can’t we have one here in Cape Town or Limpopo. As someone who has experienced the world, that is the message I want to send.

—  Caster Semenya

“With my partner [Violet Raseboya], God gave me someone who is passionate about developing youngsters and wants to make sure we open room for them to develop.

“Transition is beautiful, I am in a happy space and I am running a development programme that has taught me how to love myself and help others. I would say, where we are at the moment, is a continuation of a beautiful journey.”

As part of her journey, Semenya wants to help African sport improve to dominate the world.

“I have this door that has been shut when it comes to competition, but I have grown into a better person with the mission of helping others. As I said, it was never permanent.

“It was a temporary feeling to say use this time as much as you can to portray yourself. I have been a great champion who was good at what I did and I never lost any championship I ran in. 

“The main goal for me is to transform and translate that message of how to be a great champion. I want to teach them how to be patient, proper planning, never giving up, embracing and celebrating yourself. 

“But the most important thing is to respect time, your coach and the people around you. I come here and run and enjoy myself and make sure I promote the sport. 

“I want to make sure African sport is well taken care of and protected. I will not rest until I see African sports do well, with proper structures, and that it is beneficial to African children. 

“We need to have events here on the continent. Now we go to Kenya to run a cross-country, why can’t we have one here in Cape Town or Limpopo? As someone who has experienced the world, that is the message I want to send.

“We want to see our provincial and national leaders as well as Sascoc [the South African Sports Federation and Olympic Committee] and ASA [Athletics South Africa] making sure they go back to the drawing board and introduce these programmes in the regions.

“We want to see proper athletics programmes. They need to structure those programmes because Africa must conquer like Europe, the US or Asia.

“Why do we always have to go outside the continent to perform on a higher level? Why can’t I go to Uganda or Morocco and run, or even here in Cape Town? As a coach and athlete, those are the things I would love to see from the athletics [decisionmakers].”