Caster Semenya ran the fourth-fastest women’s 800m ever, stepping on the gas like never before to clock 1:54.25, a personal best by .91, at a Diamond League stop in Paris on Saturday.
Only Olympic and world silver medalist Francine Niyonsaba was within a half-second of Semenya after one lap, and the only runner within 1.83 seconds of her at the finish. Semenya dominated without the aid of a pacer.
Often during her nearly three-year undefeated streak, Semenya has held back in the first 600 meters before charging on the home stretch. Not this time.