Phalula 'has nothing against Semenya'
AN athlete allegedly involved in an incident on Sunday concerning Caster Semenya says she has no problem competing against the world 800m champion.
"I have nothing against her running. I'm happy to compete against her," distance runner Lebogang Phalula said yesterday.
According to witnesses, Phalula, who has won multiple national titles on the track, openly stated her frustration at competing against Semenya who was cleared to run against women in July last year.
Phalula also allegedly attempted to make an announcement over the public system, in the midst of a rant, after Semenya chased her down to win the women's 1500m final at the South African Athletics Championships in Durban.
Onlookers apparently prevented her from taking the microphone from the on-track announcer, but Phalula, who finished second in the race, later failed to appear for the medal ceremony.
Only Semenya and her teammate Violet Raseboya, who had embraced after the race where Raseboya claimed third, arrived at the ceremony and received their medals in Phalula's absence.
Asked to explain the details of the alleged incident yesterday, Phalula said she had been told by her lawyer not to make any comments.
Semenya's manager Jukka Harkonen said shortly after the incident that they expected no problems or controversy when she competes on the international circuit this season.
"We were in Europe last year and there were no problems," Harkonen said.
"She competed in two races in Finland, as well as other races in Europe, including the Diamond League meeting in Brussels, and we never had any issues."
Some European athletes reportedly threatened to boycott events last year if Semenya competed, but there were no such incidents in the races she ran after her comeback. Elisa Piccione from Italy reportedly described Semenya as "a man" but Britain's Jenny Meadows supported Semenya's return.