South African athlete Caster Semenya reportedly under armed guard at Rio Olympics following safety fears

DEBATE about her gender has dogged Caster Semenya in Rio, now it looks like she has even bigger problems.

Caster Semenya of South Africa wins the women's 800m heat 1. Picture. Phil Hillyard

SHE’S one of the most controversial athletes at the Olympic Games eliciting support and derision in equal measure.

But now it appears Olympic officials are so concerned about Caster Semenya’s welfare they have put the South African middle distance runner under armed guard.

On Thursday, Semenya cruised through to an easy victory in her heat to book a place in the women’s 800m semi-finals.

But the win, in one minute 59.31 seconds, has reopened the debate about her gender and whether she has an unfair advantage over other female athletes.

Games organisers are so fearful of disquiet from the fans of rival runners spilling over into physical violence they have beefed up Semenya’s security.

Caster Semenya waiting for the heat to kick off. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Journalists who have covered Semenya for years have been barred from approaching the athlete while International Olympic Committee and Rio organisers have gone to ground refusing to talk about the runner.

Reports suggest only team mates and Semenya’s coach will be allowed near the athlete, who claimed silver in the London Olympics.

She may also be bustled out of Rio de Janeiro as soon as her race is completed.

While she has never confirmed it, a leaked medical report said the athlete has internal testes a condition called hyperandrogenism which naturally increases levels of testosterone. This, in turn, can aid in the building of muscle — essential for an elite athlete.

Rivals say they would be labelled a drug cheat if they topped up their testosterone to the levels of Semenya and she has an unfair advantage.

But supporters say whatever condition she may have, she is still a woman and should be able to compete as one. They say the furore is more because she doesn’t fit the stereotype of what a female athlete should look like.

Semenya has been a divisive figure in athletics for years. Photo: AFP

A ruling by the IAAF, athletics global governing body, barred female athletes with high levels of testosterone from taking part in competitive races forcing Semenya to reportedly take medication to lower her hormone levels.

However an appeal by Indian runner Dutee Chand, who also has hyperandrogenism, saw the rule axed in 2015 with the Court of Arbitration in Sport declaring there was insufficient evidence the condition could single-handedly propel athletes to victory.

Chand competed at Rio but crashed out of the 100m heat.

However, the ruling hasn’t ended the debate. In July, British Olympian Paula Radcliffe told the BBC: “When we talk about it in terms of fully expecting no other result than Caster Semenya to win that 800m, then it’s no longer sport.

“It’s not just Caster’s rights but all the women with elevated testosterone that need to be balanced with those that don’t.”

But a 2016 paper by the American Medical Association poured cold water on the suggestion testosterone would make enough of a difference on its own to support exclude those athletes.

“Many factors, aside from sex and hormone milieu — favourable genetics, height, muscle type, economic opportunities, access to facilities, and skilled coaching among them — contribute to competitive success in sport.”

Others have pointed out the unique attributes of other elite athletes, such as Michael Phelps’ enormous 203cm arm span, are marvelled at rather than frowned upon.

While Semenya has been keeping a low profile in public, she has taken to Instagram while in Rio, with posts that appear to lash out at her critics.

“Be happy in front of your haters, it kills them,” she said in one post from earlier this week.

The women’s 800m final will take place on Sunday.