Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya has ruled out taking up a leadership role in South African athletics, delivering a blunt message to the country’s sporting authorities.

The 35-year-old has dismissed the possibility of standing for election to the Athletics South Africa (ASA) board or becoming an ambassador for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

SASCOC is pursuing a potential South African bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games.

‘No interest’

However, Semenya says she has no interest in becoming involved in the country’s sporting administration, citing what she describes as repeated betrayal by people within the system.

“I have been betrayed so many times by the very same people. I don’t see myself sitting at a table with an enemy,” she said on the sidelines of the Spar Grand Prix road running awards in Johannesburg.

“I am going to be honest; I am speaking just for myself. I have no interest in any position or any organisation at this moment.”

Semenya delivers blunt message to athletics authorities

Semenya’s relationship with athletics governing bodies has been shaped by a lengthy dispute over regulations governing athletes with differences of sex development (DSD).

The South African is a three-time world 800m champion and won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Her career was also marked by a prolonged legal battle against World Athletics over rules requiring certain female athletes with naturally elevated testosterone levels to lower those levels medically to compete in specified women’s events.

Semenya refused to take medication to reduce her testosterone levels and challenged the regulations.

Although she lost an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2019, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in her favour in 2023 in a case concerning Switzerland’s handling of her legal challenge.

She has now made it clear that she does not see herself returning to athletics administration.

“They use you as bait, so I don’t want to be in a space where I need to answer to someone,” she said.

Focus on coaching and developing athletes

Rather than taking up a national or international leadership position, Semenya wants to concentrate on her own athletics projects.

These include her Masai Athletics Club and the Caster Semenya Foundation, which works to encourage children and communities from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in sport.

“I want to fix my own ship, which is Masai Athletics Club, the Caster Semenya Foundation, which is my priority, and my athletes,” she said.

She added that leadership within national and international sporting organisations was something she intended to put on hold.

“At the moment I will pause it because I don’t see myself working with snakes.”

No ambassadorial role for 2036 or 2040 Olympics

Semenya’s comments also close the door, for now, on the possibility of her becoming an ambassador for South Africa’s potential Olympic hosting bid.

SASCOC is exploring the prospect of bringing the Games to South Africa in either 2036 or 2040.

Having represented the country at the highest level and won two Olympic gold medals, Semenya would be a high-profile figure for any national sporting campaign.

However, her latest comments make it clear that she has no intention of taking on such a role at this stage.

For now, the former middle-distance star says her priorities lie with her club, foundation and the athletes she is helping to develop.