Cape Town – South African women’s 800m Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya has thanked her fans for their love and support during her Rio 2016 Olympic campaign.
Semenya won gold in the 800m final on Saturday night, breaking the South African national record in a time of 1:55:28.
On her Facebook page on Sunday, Semenya wrote: “I wish that I was able to express the way I feel right now. I can’t find the right words to express my feelings.
“Thank you everyone for supporting me throughout the championship, for showing me love and for believing in me. To my fellow South Africans Here is OUR medal WE made it!”
Semenya dismantled the women’s 800m field at the Olympic Stadium in Rio on Saturday night in a clinical fashion, fulfilling her role as prohibitive pre-race favourite, to clinch a history-making first women’s Olympic track gold for South Africa.
A flood of congratulations have followed her triumph. An army of South African supporters took to Twitter soon after she crossed the finishing line to congratulate her.
Semenya, still comprehending her feat despite being the overwhelming favourite, said earlier. “I dedicate this to my team. They’ve done a fantastic job. It’s a great feeling. Just fantastic. I couldn’t believe it. Just fantastic.”