Birds on the Brain

Photo 14 Aug 24 notes

dynamicafrica:

South African athlete and London 2012 Olympics silver medalist ‘hits back at critics’:

Semenya hit back on Tuesday at criticism of the tactics which resulted in her winning a silver medal in her 800m final.
There was speculation that Semenya did not go all out to win the race.
“[There is] nothing much I can say. I tried my best and I won a silver,” Semenya told reporters.
Semenya said people who questioned her motivation lacked knowledge about the sport.
“So whatever people are saying, they always talk, they know nothing about athletics … They just watch us running, they don’t know what we’re going through, so ja, I tried my best.”
Semenya’s medal was the first for South Africa in a track event since Mbulaeni Mulaudzi’s silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Despite her individual success, she was disappointed at being the only member of the track team to finish in a podium spot.
“For me, I’m a little disappointed about the results. We had a strong team so we were expecting at least another four medals, but at least we have a silver.”
Minister Mbalula highlighted her performance.
“When you were running there our hearts nearly stopped. We don’t [know] what your strategy was … Caster represents the greatest guts for women. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you represent a symbol of [a] courageous woman in South Africa.”
(source)

South African athlete and London 2012 Olympics silver medalist ‘hits back at critics’:

Semenya hit back on Tuesday at criticism of the tactics which resulted in her winning a silver medal in her 800m final.

There was speculation that Semenya did not go all out to win the race.

“[There is] nothing much I can say. I tried my best and I won a silver,” Semenya told reporters.

Semenya said people who questioned her motivation lacked knowledge about the sport.

“So whatever people are saying, they always talk, they know nothing about athletics … They just watch us running, they don’t know what we’re going through, so ja, I tried my best.”

Semenya’s medal was the first for South Africa in a track event since Mbulaeni Mulaudzi’s silver at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Despite her individual success, she was disappointed at being the only member of the track team to finish in a podium spot.

“For me, I’m a little disappointed about the results. We had a strong team so we were expecting at least another four medals, but at least we have a silver.”

Minister Mbalula highlighted her performance.

“When you were running there our hearts nearly stopped. We don’t [know] what your strategy was … Caster represents the greatest guts for women. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you represent a symbol of [a] courageous woman in South Africa.”

(source)