Two-time Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya can’t compete in IAAF-sanctioned events due to a rule change. However, it didn’t stop her competitiveness. The 28-year-old athlete joined a South African women’s football squad.
At present, Semenya is training with the club JVW. However, she can’t start playing for the team until the next season because she joined after the transfer window. She told the best pay per head sportsbook that she’s looking forward to her new journey. Also, she appreciates the support and love she gets from the team.
Janine van Wyk, the captain of South African women’s national team, formed JVW FC in 2013. Her mission was to identify, develop, and showcase female footballers. Since then, it became one of the top teams in the league.
Caster Semenya as a Football Player
Janine van Wyk told sports gambling news sites that Semenya will sign with the team to play next year. Although the transfer window is currently closed, the team already considers her as one of its members.
Semenya is not the first athlete to venture into football. In fact, Usain Bolt joined Norwegian team Stromsgodset after his retirement in 2017. Then he transferred to Australian club Central Coast Mariners. However, he left the team after eight weeks.
Semenya’s former coach Maria Mutola also turned to football after retiring from athletics in 2009. According to sports news archives, Mutola played for the South African squad Mamelodi Sundowns.
The IAAF implemented a new rule that female athletes with high testosterone levels have a competitive advantage. That’s why they banned Semenya from participating in their events unless she takes testosterone-reducing drugs.
Also, she can change to another distance instead of 800m if she didn’t want to take the drugs. However, she didn’t agree with the rule and that’s why she can’t compete in IAAF-sanctioned events anymore.
