Caster Semenya

I don't like fame, I prefer to have no profile. But this is not possible for me. This is what I do, so I just have to find a way of being comfortable with it.

I was world champion, but I was never able to celebrate it. It was a joke for me.

I don't understand when you say I have an advantage because I am a woman.

I don't like fame; I prefer to have no profile. But this is not possible for me.

The thing I'm afraid of the most with the 800m is injuries. That's why I don't normally like to run in a group: I prefer to be in front, just in case someone pushes me with their spikes. I don't like stuff like that.

God made me the way I am, and I accept myself. I am who I am, and I'm proud of myself.

When I am in that lane, and I hear, 'Caster Semenya from South Africa,' I always know I am doing it for my people. They love and support me, and I will always do them proud; I will always put them first. Without them, I am nothing.

To me I don't think sport is something that I can take for life. I still have my academy, my studies.

Yes, I learned history at school; I know everything about apartheid. My dad, he bought the books about it, stuff like that. But I just move on with my life. It's completely different for me.

Life wasn't good, but I could not walk away from something I love. I had a difficult life to face, but I had to try to keep dealing with the situation with the help of my family, friends, and training partners and manager.

With each year I experience, I become more relaxed. I know now what is important to listen to and what to ignore. You only get that with age.

I could never give up athletics. Running is what I will always do. Even if, maybe, the authorities could have stopped me from running in 2009, they could not have stopped me in the fields. I would have carried on with my running; it doesn't matter. When I run I feel free, my mind is free.