Caster Semenya, the Road To London, link to Washington Post, note by Larry Eder

Caster Semenya, Meseret Defar, Vivian Cheruiyot, 2012 Compeed Golden Gala Roma,
photo by PhotoRun.net

Caster Semenya, 2011 WC, photo by PhotoRun.net

Anna Hall answers a few questions from RunBlogRun after her American record

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – MARATHON QUALIFICATIONS, from USATF website

Coffee With Larry, Peachtree sign ups begin today, Eilish McColgan speaks, GAM media conference, why it’s so important, a new track at Stadio Olimpico Roma!

Caster Semenya, the 2009 World Champion at 800 meters was thrust into a media maelstrom, immediately after her victory, that, by all accounts, was not to her making. With her personal information bandied about around the water coolers across the world, Semenya came back in 2011, and was beaten by Mariya Savinova of Russia in the World Championship final in Daegu.

Semenya has run okay so far this year. But be forewarned, gentle readers, several keen observers of the middle distances believe that Caster may have the last laugh in 2012. ” She is running both the 800 meters and 1,500 meters in London. Do not be surprised if she takes them both. She has the speed and talent to shake up both events. ” commented one former Olympic medalist.

Truth is, Caster Semenya will have her hands full. In the 800 meters, Pamela Jelimo, Fantu Magiso, Mariya Savinova, Allysa Montoya, to name just a few. In the 1,500 meters, Jenny Simpson, Hannah England, Morgan Uceny, and yes, Abeba Aregawi and her fantastic 3:56.54, will surely make the battle for the 1,500m an epic race.

One thing is for certain, the women’s 800 meters and 1,500 meters could be amazing battles, truly Olympian races, and isn’t that what we, as sports fans want?

To read more on Caster Semenya, we would like to recommend the Washington Post’s fine piece: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/london-2012-after-controversy-and-setbacks-caster-semenya-wants-running-to-do-the-talking/2012/05/30/gJQA42Yh0U_story.html

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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