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“This silver medal means more to me than the gold medal I won in the World Championships in Berlin," Semenya said.
“I was young and reckless in 2009. Everything happened so quickly and easily. I did not realise what a great honour it was to win a medal at a World Championship.
“This time it was different. I really had to work hard for my silver medal. That is why I appreciate it that much more and why I am dedicating it to Mandela,” said Semenya.
By contrast, Semenya was quite philosophical over her silver medal triumph.
“Sometimes it is good to lose, because it makes you appreciate your next victory so much more.”
The eventual champion, Russia’s Mariya Savinova only overtook Semenya in the final 10 metres and her winning time of 1:55.87 is the fastest recorded time this season.
Semenya’s 1:56.35 is also her quickest of the season as well as the second fastest race of her career.
Kenya’s Janeth Jepkosgei finished in third with a time of 1:57.42.
Semenya seemed very relaxed at the press conference and when journalists tried to lure her into the gender debacle which tainted her success in 2009, she calmly indicated that she would not be answering any questions of that nature.
“I am still young and I will not always be living in the past. What happened, happened. All that matters to me now is to try and win a medal for South Africa in next year’s Olympic Games in London.
“Who knows, maybe I can even beat the world record in the 800m. I must just train hard and remain focussed,” she added.
When asked if she was afraid of the media, she said that: “No, not at all. The only reason that I do not want to talk to the media is because I was focussed on my goals.
“Once I have reached them, then I don’t have any problem to speak (to the media).”
One of the talking points around Semenya’s finals display was how she got it right to drastically improve her speed after struggling for much of the season preceding the championships.
“I just have that ‘Caster magic touch’. If I decide that something has to happen, then it will happen,” boasted Semenya.
On a more serious note however, she added that she started to train much harder.
Semenya says that she has no plans to run in both the 800m and 1500m in next year’s Olympics.
“I will only focus on the 800m. It will be dumb to try and qualify for both events, because the competition is just too tough.
“You have to specialise if you want to have
any chance of winning a medal.”
