19 May 2019, by: Carl Lewis

Caster Semenya Voted South Africa’s GOAT?

The Bet.co.za community has voted World Champion athlete Caster Semenya as the Greatest South African Sportsman Ever. She beat Penny Heyns, Makhaya Ntini and in the final Benni McCarthy to be crowned as the GOAT. No other South African sports personality has had to endure the pressure, vitriol and disrespect Semenya received since she burst onto the scene almost 10 years ago.

?? The people have voted… Your GOAT of South African sport is Caster Semenya!

? A well deserved victory. https://t.co/GJAyvWrjrH pic.twitter.com/HfCCaf9uJw

— Bet.co.za (@betcoza) May 18, 2020

However, Semenya has always handled the judgment of others with class and wisdom which has endeared herself to the South Africa public. Semenya’s sporting CV is also nothing to be scoffed at, she has dominated her discipline for many years and has two Olympic gold medals to show for it.

Semenya is one for the greatest middle-distance runners of her generation winning the 2012 and 2016 Olympic gold medals in the 800m. She won gold in the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships, the 2016 Summer Olympics, and the 2017 World Championships in her personal best, 1:55.16. After the doping disqualification of Mariya Savinova, she also was awarded gold medals at the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics, all in the 800 metres.

Her career has been marred by controversy but her handling of the media onslaught has been done is such a respectable and honourable manner which has earned her iconic status in the country.