Two-time Olympic 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya has joined a South African women's football team.

The 28-year-old is unable to compete without taking testosterone-reducing drugs following a rule change by the IAAF, athletics' governing body.

It means she cannot defend her 800m World Championship title in Doha this month - though she is fighting the rule change through the courts.

She is now training with Gauteng-based women's football club JVW.

The three-time world champion, who announced in July that she would not be defending her 800m world title, cannot start playing for JVW until the 2020 season, having joined outside the South African transfer window.

"I am looking forward to this new journey, I appreciate the love and support I already get from the team," Semenya told the club website.

JVW FC, was formed in 2013 by current South Africa Women's captain, Janine van Wyk, aiming to "identify, develop, improve and expose" female footballers.

The club is one of the top sides in the league for Gauteng province - the main women's football league in South Africa is split into nine provincial competitions.

Club founder Van Wyk told the BBC that Semenya has "not given up running at all".

She said: "She's on a break at the moment which is why she has time on her hands to do something different.

"She's had two training sessions with the team and you could see her football is there, but we still need obviously to work on her a little bit because it's very different to track and field.

"She's made it really clear to me that she's not giving up running at all.

"It's amazing for the football club. The recognition women's football in South Africa will get is massive.
"To have her play in the league over here is incredible and I think young girls and her team-mates will draw a lot of inspiration from Caster."

Semenya is not the first athlete to switch to football - after retiring in 2017, Usain Bolt trained with Norwegian club Stromsgodset and Australian side Central Coast Mariners, but did not secure a contract.

Semenya is also following in the footsteps of her former coach Maria Mutola, who also turned to football after athletics.

The IAAF introduced its rule change because it argues female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) - such as Semenya - have "a competitive advantage".

Athletes must either take testosterone-reducing medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile or change to another distance.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/49605649

My brother you did well switching careers. Never late.

Amazingman:
[s]brother you did well switching careers. Never late.[/s]

Can't you read that she's a woman?

I hope not bayana bayana??

Fdd

F

Nukilia:


Can't you read that she's a woman?

I saw a man there

There should be a special category for these kinds of people in sports. He is not a full woman

I wish her well

Nice one bro

wetin come concern us

ctleurocollege:
Good for her











Contact me if you wish to study in Cyprus

We no dey go, we die here together

Amazingman:
My brother you did well switching careers. Never late.

Lolz werey!

Great

My brother u did well, this is the right thing to do ���

ok...good for her..not idle at least.

South Africa, home of xenophobia and athletic scam. This woman is too masculine to run with women. As in, one on one me and her, I no sure say I go beat am. But i go use my last strength sha.

The IAAF introduced its rule change because it argues female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) - such as Semenya - have "a competitive advantage".

Athletes must either take testosterone-reducing medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile or change to another distance.

If she truly believes in her self, why is she not changing distance?..

She looks like xenophobia

She is a good man, also hardworking, na so her testosterone high reach, so tey she need drugs to reduce am?... Some men no even get enough

Wishing him...sorry, wishing her well in her endeavors.

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Better for him cos anytime he was around those ladies,, u could easily see it in his eyes that he was not supposed to be here..

Always feeling guilty with himself among those poor innocent ladies,, at times he would slow down for them so as to make it easier for dem,, but last last he would still carry d day.

In all his doings no sign of being she there,, those ladies don't even congratulate him or hug him cos they know he is a man..

Oh

good for her she should put more effort