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Johannesburg - South African 800m runner Caster Semenya remains defiant as she awaits a decision on her gender verification tests and athletics future.
"I don't care about anyone else's decision," the 800m world champion said in an interview on Thursday, referring to the IAAF. "I'm the one who decides in the end if I'm going to run."
The 19-year-old Semenya has not run competitively since winning the women's 800m title at last year's world championships in Berlin. Her dramatic improvement in times and muscular build led the International Association of Athletics Federations to order gender tests.
The IAAF has said a ruling on her case is expected by the end of June.
Semenya had planned to return to competition on June 24 at a meet in Zaragoza, Spain, but the meet has been called off because of financial problems.
"Run or don't run, it doesn't make a difference," Semenya said.
She is in the Ivory Coast to accept an honorary award from a local sports association and help train local athletes. She was also honoured by the Ivorian sports minister shortly after her arrival late on Wednesday.
"I'm still training every day," Semenya said. "Every athlete wants a gold at the Olympics, and that's still my goal."
Semenya was at the national stadium in downtown Abidjan on Thursday, demonstrating stretching techniques and drills. She ran alongside a dozen local female runners who were selected to train with her during her five-day stay.
"I just want to help other African athletes," she said, laughing with the young Ivorian girls despite the language barrier. "They remind me of when I started. I also ran barefoot. I'll keep training and helping others. No competition is necessary."
Semenya's coach, Michael Seme, also made the trip to Ivory Coast and helped out at the training session.
He said the IAAF's decision has already taken too long.
"They're doing their job," he said, "but they're wasting Caster's time."
Seme said IAAF officials were taking their time because they know her case will be used as a precedent.
"They are using this case to check out the rules, to prevent cheaters," he said.
"I don't care about anyone else's decision," the 800m world champion said in an interview on Thursday, referring to the IAAF. "I'm the one who decides in the end if I'm going to run."
The 19-year-old Semenya has not run competitively since winning the women's 800m title at last year's world championships in Berlin. Her dramatic improvement in times and muscular build led the International Association of Athletics Federations to order gender tests.
The IAAF has said a ruling on her case is expected by the end of June.
Semenya had planned to return to competition on June 24 at a meet in Zaragoza, Spain, but the meet has been called off because of financial problems.
"Run or don't run, it doesn't make a difference," Semenya said.
She is in the Ivory Coast to accept an honorary award from a local sports association and help train local athletes. She was also honoured by the Ivorian sports minister shortly after her arrival late on Wednesday.
"I'm still training every day," Semenya said. "Every athlete wants a gold at the Olympics, and that's still my goal."
Semenya was at the national stadium in downtown Abidjan on Thursday, demonstrating stretching techniques and drills. She ran alongside a dozen local female runners who were selected to train with her during her five-day stay.
"I just want to help other African athletes," she said, laughing with the young Ivorian girls despite the language barrier. "They remind me of when I started. I also ran barefoot. I'll keep training and helping others. No competition is necessary."
Semenya's coach, Michael Seme, also made the trip to Ivory Coast and helped out at the training session.
He said the IAAF's decision has already taken too long.
"They're doing their job," he said, "but they're wasting Caster's time."
Seme said IAAF officials were taking their time because they know her case will be used as a precedent.
"They are using this case to check out the rules, to prevent cheaters," he said.
