CASTER SEMENYA won her first title over 1500m with ridiculous ease and, for good measure, set a Games record with her top class 4:00.71 which also broke Zola Budd’s South African record of 4:01.81 from 1984.
The world championships 1500m bronze medallist can thank former steeplechaser Beatrice Chepkoech for the fast time, as can all the other athletes in what turned out to be the Games’ fastest 1500m from first to last.
The Kenyan, who unusually took a detour during the London steeplechase, led a 14-strong field – increased due to repercussions from joint favourite Winny Chebet’s fall in the heats – through a fast 63.82 first lap.
The pace slackened on the second as the leader passed 800m in 2:10.81 and all 14 in the field were bunched and in contention.
Chepkoech was still ahead at 1200m in 3:16.23 but a gradual acceleration saw she and Semenya ease a few metres clear before the South African unleashed a sub-29 200m and 44 last 300m to open up a 20-metre gap with a powerful finish.
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