2017 IAAF World Championships

Caster Semenya Enters 800m/1500m Double At Worlds

Caster Semenya Enters 800m/1500m Double At Worlds

Olympic champion Caster Semenya has entered the 800m and the 1500m at the IAAF World Championships in London, Athletics South Africa announced on Tuesday.

Jul 25, 2017 by Taylor Dutch
Caster Semenya Enters 800m/1500m Double At Worlds
Olympic champion Caster Semenya has entered the 800m and the 1500m at the IAAF World Championships in London, Athletics South Africa announced on Tuesday. 

Semenya was already planning on competing in her signature event, the 800m, but requested to be entered in the 1500m, as announced in the final team roster for South Africa.  

"Caster Semenya has appealed to be entered for the IAAF World Championships in both the 800m and the 1500m. ASA has approved the appeal as Caster Semenya is the current CAA African Champion in the 800m and the 1500m," the announcement read. 

The final world championship team roster was revealed after an appeal by athletes that were left out. In addition to the 800m and 1500m, Semenya is also part of the 4x400m relay pool. 

Semenya enters the 800m in London as a heavy favorite. The two-time Olympic champion hasn't lost an 800m race since 2015. She recently lowered her own national record to 1:55.27 with a stunning Monaco Diamond League victory last Friday. 

nullSo far this season, Semenya has only raced one 1500m--a 4:16 victory at the USSA Championships in April, but she posted a personal best of 4:01.99 to win the African Championships in June 2016. As far as world rankings, Semenya's lifetime best would land at No. 15 this year. 

Semenya has never competed in the 1500m at an international championship. She expressed interest in competing in the 400m as well as the 800m at the Rio Olympics, but ultimately focused on the 800m which she dominated to win her second Olympic gold medal. 

Should Semenya compete in both, she will face a tough racing schedule. The first round of the 1500m is August 4, the semifinal is on August 5, and the final is on August 7. The first round of the 800m is set to begin on August 10 with the semifinal on August 11 and the final on August 13.