Semenya vows to fight on but has uncertain future

South African athlete Caster Semenya and Burundian Francine Niyonsaba (R) at the start of a 2,000 metres at a small meeting in Montreuil, near Paris, France June 11, 2019. REUTERS

Caster Semenya vowed to continue her fight against the ban that prevents her from competing in her preferred 800m event after she failed in a bid to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at alternative distances.

The 30-year-old South African, who is two-time defending Olympic champion at 800m, is banned from competing in any race from 400m to a mile after World Athletics ruled in 2018 that to ensure fair competition, women with high natural testosterone levels must take medication to reduce them to compete in middle-distance races.