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Caster camp in confident mood

Johannesburg - Caster Semenya's spokesperson believes South Africa's flag bearer at the London Games will dominate the women's 800m event at the Olympics.

Semenya, who won gold and silver at the last two IAAF World Championships, is ranked outside the top 20 in the world this year in the two-lap event.

Her season's best of 1:59.18 is nearly four seconds slower than the national record she set when she won the world title in 2009.

"Caster Semenya is a big event type of athlete," Semenya's spokesperson, Tshepo Seema, said in a statement on Wednesday.

"It is in her nature to rise to the occasion where it matters the most so we are confident that she will do well."

In her latest performance, at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco last week, Semenya faded to ninth place in 2:01.67.

Slamming media reports which criticised Semenya's form and inconsistent performances, Seema said she was "ready" for the Games.

"She is not intimidated by cheap, pre-school scare tactics from people who wish to distract her from achieving her greatest career objective," Seema said.

"Caster is focused on bringing glory and celebration to South Africa.

"She will do so by dominating the 800m female challenge at the Olympics."

He said Semenya had "prepared well enough" and believed she would step onto the podium after the women's 800m final on August 11.

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