Video: Caster Semenya Wins Gold At The 2016 Olympics
South African athletics hero Caster Semenya is fresh off of her stunning gold medal win at the Olympic Games in Rio, but she is not taking time to rest as the 800m specialist prepares to go for victory in the Zurich leg of the 2016 Diamond League series on Thursday.
The Diamond League series is an annual 14-meeting track and field event that brings together the best athletes in the world for events held throughout the globe.
Those who emerge victorious in the series in their respective races or events are awarded a diamond trophy and prize money.
Semenya has been so dominant in the women’s 800m event this season, that she is within one successful race of earning her first diamond trophy at this week’s meeting in Switzerland.
In what looks to be a rematch of the Rio 2016 final race, Semenya will be up against the likes of Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba and Margaret Wambui of Kenya, who were both medallists in the South African’s gold medal winning event.
Others who took part in the Olympic final such as Lynsey Sharp, Melissa Bishop, Joanna Jozwik, Kate Grace and Maryna Arzamasava will also be vying for the women’s 800m title in Zurich.
Semenya could secure the diamond trophy if she wins on Thursday, as she leads the 800m standings with 40 points, two ahead of second-placed Niyonsaba of Burundi, thanks to the four races in the series that she has won thus far.
There are double points available for the athletes in Zurich, so a first-place finish would mean a diamond for the 25-year-old, who won the silver medal at the London Olympics four years ago.
The battle between Semenya and Niyonsaba in the women’s 800m is very tight, however, and whichever of the two athletes wins the race will also pick up the diamond trophy, so it is by no means a done deal for the South African.
If neither of the two athletes finishes in the top four, the trophy will go to Semenya.
