Russian Mariya Savinova rained on Caster Semenya’s parade on Sunday, nipping past the controversial South African for world gold in the women’s 800m. Reigning world indoor and European champion Savinova timed her run to perfection, coming from near the back of the pack at 600m to clinch the victory in 1min 55.87sec. Semenya, looking to bury controversy over her true gender, took silver (1:56.35), with Kenya’s 2007 champion Janeth Jepkosgei claiming bronze (1:57.42). “I knew the race would be tough and very fast,” said Savinova. “But I am quite surprised about my time and the power and stamina I found in my body in the last 100 metres “When I saw Caster’s great shape before the race, I told myself that she was very well prepared and she was unbeatable to me. “But come the last 30 metres and I knew I was going to win. I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face.” Jepkosgei set a fast pace from the off, followed by Jamaican Kenia Sinclair and American Alysia Montano, with Semenya sat in fifth ahead of Savinova.
