OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Semenya denies Jackson suggestion she did not want 800m win

By Sportsbeat staff, London 2012

CASTER Semenya has denied a suggestion from Colin Jackson that she tried not to win the Olympic 800m final at London 2012.

Former world champion Jackson told BBC viewers that he thought the controversial South African runner was not concerned about winning gold because of the attention it may bring, claiming 'some athletes just want silver'.

Semenya seemed to be finishing strongly as Russia's Mariya Savinova took gold but started her charge for the line far too late, prompting Jackson to speculate on her motives.

DENIAL: Caster Semenya denied suggestions by Colin Jackson she was happy not to win because of her controversial past

"The plan was to win a gold but I made a wrong move," insisted Semenya.

"I'm happy with the silver medal but the main thing for an athlete is, of course, to win.

"I'm satisfied with silver, I'm still young and it's my first Olympics. I'll just have to train hard and maybe win a gold medal in the future but the really important thing was to finish on the podium.

"This is a good step forward for me and my coach, we will do better in the future."

© Sportsbeat 2012