I knew I'd win - Semenya

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Drums pounded and vuvuzelas blared as South Africa's 18-year-old 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya finally emerged into the waiting throng of thousands of fans at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.

Semenya arrived in South Africa to screaming fans, men shouting "marry me" and further condemnation of efforts to submit her to "insulting" gender testing.

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Amid controversy about her gender, Semenya was giddy yesterday recounting how she knew she would win her event at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

"I took the lead in the 400 metres and I killed them, they couldn't follow. I celebrated the last 200 because I knew, man," she told journalists in Pretoria after meeting President Jacob Zuma.

Semenya won the race in 1 minute 55.45 seconds, the world's best time this year and the 13th best by an individual on the all-time list.

She appeared shy and introverted, but came out of her shell when asked to describe her win. "It was pretty good to win a gold medal and bring it home. For the first time in my life, the experience, man, the world championships, seniors, I couldn't believe it."

Her Kenyan competitor's fall in an earlier race, which nearly brought her down too, had distracted her, but in the semi-final her coach told her: "You know girl, you can do it.

"Before the final he (the coach) ... said 'in the last 200 kill him'," at which she laughed and shyly smiled.

Zuma, calling her a "golden girl", earlier said rumours about Semenya's gender were wrong and ill-spirited. Her win exhibited women's achievements, power and strength.

"Miss Semenya has also reminded the world of the importance of the right to human dignity and privacy which should be enjoyed by all human beings."

In recognition of the supremacy of these rights, the government wished to register its displeasure at the manner in which Semenya was treated.

Zuma said Sport and Recreation Minister Makhenkesi Stofile had written to the International Association of Athletics Federations, which had decided that Semenya should undergo genetic testing.

He said the ministry would follow up on the matter.

"It is one thing to seek to ascertain whether or not an athlete has an unfair advantage over others, but it is another to publicly humiliate an honest, professional and competent athlete," he said, extending his support to Semenya and her family.

"Continue to walk tall Mokgadi, we are proud of you, we love you. These events should not distract us from celebrating your outstanding achievements on the track."

Zuma said the rumours were "wrong" and dampened the spirit of the young people. "It was started deliberately to cause a kind of confusion and dampen the spirits of the country unnecessarily."

When asked about reports that the rumour emanated from South Africa, Zuma said: "If it did, those South Africans are really not demonstrating their patriotism to a serious degree."

He also urged the media to quell "detrimental" coverage and "put an end" to the rumours.

"You (the media) shouldn't be part of it from now on," to which the families of the athletes clapped loudly. "Tell the country, the rumour is wrong; put the record straight."

But it was the shy Semenya, who is embroiled in a gender controversy, who stole the show.

As she walked on to the concourse, the crowds surged forward, chanting her name, with smaller supporters literally being lifted up and carried off in the human tide that followed the Limpopo teenager out of the hall, singing songs in her praise.

On the two floors overlooking the airport concourse, supporters standing three-deep hung over the handrails shouting and waving.

Managing a fleeting comment to a reporter who asked how she felt, she said "very good", as fellow gold medallist Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, also from Limpopo, kept a protective arm around her, shoving aside anyone that came too close, while police battled to maintain their human chain.

Eventually police had to hold on to Semenya as they escorted her out of the hall, while banners and posters read "Caster! The new definition of speed ... uyaroca! (You rock!)", "We love you Limpopo golden girl".

"Wathint'u Caster, wathint umbokodo (If you strike Caster, you strike a rock)," they sang.

Delivering an improvised version of a struggle song, the group sang: "My mother was a kitchen girl, my father was a garden boy, that's why I'm a champion."

Along with her excited mother, Dorcus, and father, Jacob, was 59-year-old Martina Mpati, Semenya's great aunt, who kept up a tireless jig waiting for the arrival of the baby she had helped deliver.

"Caster is a girl, I was the midwife and I cleaned her up myself the minute my sister's daughter-in-law delivered her, so if anyone should know her sex, it's me," said Mpati before joining the crowd which had formed a makeshift athletics track in the middle of the concourse.