Caster Semenya confirms she has not given up running despite signing for a football club in South Africa

To optimise for archiving, the original image and related documents associated with this article have been removed.

Two-time Olympic 800m gold medallist has clarified she hasn’t brought an end to her track and field career despite joining a South African football team. 

Semenya announced on Friday that she was joining JVW Football Club in her homeland.

The 28-year-old is unable to compete without taking testosterone-reducing drugs following a rule change by the IAAF. The governing body introduced the rule change because it argues female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) – such as Semenya – have “a competitive advantage”.

Under the rule, all athletes with a difference in sex development should reduce their blood testosterone to a specific level for at least six months – and then maintain that for the rest of their athletic career – in order to compete in events from 400m to a mile.

Semenya is fighting the rule change through the courts, and will not be able to defend her 800m World Championship title in Doha this month.

"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." the Club founder Van Wyk told the Press.

“Caster is a powerful woman. She’s a very strong-minded woman after everything she’s gone through.”

“And, hopefully, that road doesn’t appear again for her if she does take that option in football”

A day after announcing her signing with JVW, Semenya said “Being a footballer doesn't mean I'm no longer a track and field athlete. Just making things clear.” in a post on Twitter.  

FIFA issued its gender verification regulations in 2011, which give it the power to subject a player taking part in its competitions to “a physical examination” and to ban anyone refusing to submit to one. FIFA said the eligibility of players was evaluated on a “case-by-case basis”, when asked about Semenya’s future plans about becoming a footballer.

Having joined outside the South African transfer window, Semenya cannot start playing for JVW until the 2020 season.

You may also like

View All

The Football Association v Lucas Paquetá

A decision in the case of The Football Association against Lucas Paquetá has been issued by the Independent Regulatory Commission

Read More

Minimum salaries introduced in WSL and WSL2, along with other vital wellbeing support

After an extensive consultation with the Professional Footballers’ Association, Women’s Super League and Women’s Super League 2 footballers will be given a minimum salary level. A mandatory performance wellbeing role within all clubs will also be introduced

Read More

UN shares updated anti-corruption plan for 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has shared its new anti-corruption plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games which will protect both events from match-fixing within the U.S. The plan has been influenced by G20’s High-Level Principles

Read More