Caster Semenya: I will not work with snakes

By Charles Baloyi
11th November 2026

Two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya has made it clear that she has no interest in taking up a leadership or ambassadorial role in South African athletics because she does not want to work with people she describes as “snakes”.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Semenya ruled herself out of contesting for a position on the Athletics South Africa (ASA) board ahead of the federation’s upcoming elections. The 35-year-old says she has no intention of working with people who have hurt her and failed to protect her in the past.

She has also dismissed the possibility of becoming an ambassador for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) should South Africa’s bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Games be successful.

Semenya insists that she has no interest in joining organisations where she feels she cannot trust the people involved.

"I am not really interested in an organization because they use you as bait, so I don't want to be in a space where I need to answer to someone. I want to fix my own ship, which is Masai Athletics Club, the Caster Semenya Foundation, which is my priority, and my athletes. So when it comes to national and international leadership, at the moment I will pause it because I don't see myself working with snakes," said Semenya.

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"I have been betrayed so many times by the very same people. I don't see myself sitting at a table with an enemy. I am going to be honest; I am speaking just for myself. I have no interest in any position or any organization at this moment."

The former world 800m champion, who now coaches several elite athletes, including Glenrose Xaba, Karabo More and Karabo Mailula, says she will not accept an Olympic ambassadorial role, even if South Africa wins the bid to host the 2036 or 2040 Games.

Semenya says she has no intention of forgiving organisations that she believes have wronged her. She maintains that she cannot represent people and institutions that have failed her.

Meanwhile, Semenya has not changed her position on pursuing a professional coaching career.

She remains confident in her coaching abilities and believes that formal classroom education is not the only way to become a successful coach.

The Olympic champion insists that her knowledge and experience in athletics speak for themselves, and she is determined to continue developing athletes outside the traditional education system.