Games champion Caster Semenya says she wanted to perform to thank Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Caster Semenya has dedicated her golden double at the Commonwealth Games to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela‚ saying she and Nelson Mandela had ignited a fire in Semenya. She won the 800m in Australia’s Gold Coast on Friday to add to the 1500m title she claimed earlier in the week. "We were very close‚" said Semenya. I was just sad when I heard the news but I didn’t want to concentrate on that a lot. I just wanted to perform for her to show that appreciation." Semenya obliged in fine style‚ winning both events in Games records‚ also breaking Zola Budd’s 34-year-old national mark in the 1500m "I really appreciate what she [Madikizela-Mandela] has done for us as South Africans‚ so may her soul rest in peace." Semenya said Madikizela-Mandela’s message to her had been to love and appreciate herself. "That’s the only thing these great leaders will tell you — the same as the late uTata Nelson Mandela told me‚ I’m a great athlete‚ I just need to lead by example. "I must go out there and show the ...
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