Early Life and Education of Caster Semenya: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2026

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Caster Semenya. From birth to education, explore key events.

Caster Semenya is a South African middle-distance runner celebrated for her achievements in the 800 metres, including two Olympic gold medals and three World Championships. Her victories include gold at the 2009 World Championships, the 2016 Olympics, and the 2017 World Championships, where she also won a bronze in the 1500 metres. She was later awarded gold medals for the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics following the disqualification of Mariya Savinova.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

January 1991: Caster Semenya Born

In January 1991, Caster Semenya was born. She is a South African middle-distance runner and winner of two Olympic gold medals and three World Championships in the women's 800 metres.

January 1991: Birth and Early Life

On January 7, 1991, Caster Semenya was born in Ga-Masehlong, South Africa, and grew up in Fairlie. She has three sisters and a brother. She later attended Nthema Secondary School and the University of North West.

September 2009: Coach Resigns and ASA President Admits to Testing

In September 2009, Caster Semenya's coach, Wilfred Daniels, resigned, feeling ASA did not advise her properly. ASA President Leonard Chuene admitted to having subjected Semenya to testing and lying about it.

November 2009: Agreement with IAAF and Medal Retention

In November 2009, South Africa's sports ministry issued a statement that Caster Semenya had reached an agreement with the IAAF to keep her medal and award.

March 2010: Denied Opportunity to Compete

In March 2010, Caster Semenya was denied the opportunity to compete in the Yellow Pages Series V Track and Field event in Stellenbosch, South Africa, due to the IAAF's pending findings from her sex test.

July 2010: Cleared to Compete Again

In July 2010, Caster Semenya was cleared again to compete in women's competitions by the IAAF.

July 2010: Opted out of World Junior and African Championships

In July 2010, not being in full form, Caster Semenya did not enter the World Junior Championships or the African Championships.

July 2010: Savinova's Results Disqualified Backdated to July 2010

On 10 February 2017, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) officially disqualified Mariya Savinova's results backdated to July 2010.

October 2010: Forced to skip Commonwealth Games due to injury

In October 2010, Caster Semenya was forced to skip the Commonwealth Games due to an injury.

July 2015: Suspension of IAAF Policy on High Testosterone Levels

In July 2015, the IAAF policy on high natural levels of testosterone in women was suspended following the case of Dutee Chand v. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) & The International Association of Athletics Federations.

November 2015: World Anti-Doping Agency Recommended Savinova be Banned

In November 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency recommended that Mariya Savinova and four other Russian athletes be given a lifetime ban for doping violations at the Olympics.

February 2017: Court of Arbitration for Sport Disqualified Savinova's Results

On 10 February 2017, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) officially disqualified Mariya Savinova's results backdated to July 2010.

June 2018: Announces Legal Challenge to IAAF Rules

In June 2018, Caster Semenya announced that she would legally challenge the IAAF rules, calling them "discriminatory, irrational, [and] unjustifiable".

September 2019: Joins SAFA Sasol Women's League Football Club

In September 2019, Caster Semenya joined the South African SAFA Sasol Women's League football club JVW owned by Janine van Wyk.

2019: New IAAF Rules and Legal Challenges

In 2019, new IAAF (World Athletics) rules came into force requiring athletes like Caster Semenya with certain disorders of sex development (DSDs) to take medication to suppress testosterone levels to participate in certain women's events. Semenya refused and filed legal cases arguing the rules are discriminatory.

2020: Decides to Switch to 200 Meters

In 2020, Caster Semenya announced that she had decided to switch to the 200 meters for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, in order to avoid the 400 m to one mile ban.

April 2021: Confirms She Will Not Try to Make 200 m Qualifying Standard

On 15 April 2021, Caster Semenya confirmed she would not try to make the Tokyo 2020 200 m qualifying standard.

October 2023: Publication of Semenya's Memoir

In October 2023, Caster Semenya's memoir, titled "The Race to Be Myself", was published by #Merky Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House UK. The memoir addresses the controversies surrounding her running career.