EMBARGOED: until 06:00 on Sunday, 18 March 2018

Sunday, 18 March 2018

SemenyaSeeks Second Record at Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix Series, Paarl

Fresh off her 1000m SA record, Caster Semenya will be chasing the women’s 1500m South Africanrecord at the Dal Josaphat Stadium in Paarl on Thursday, 22 March 2018 at the third and final Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix Series Meeting.

In fine form, Semenya broke the 35-year-old record of Ilse de Kock Wicksell on Thursday, 08 March at the second Grand Prix Meeting at Tuks. She will face USA-based Dominique Scottin the 1500m at the 3rd and final Meeting in Paarl. Scott won the SA 5000m title on Thursday 15 March, clocking 16:55.05.

Semenya has already come close to the SA record of 4:01.81, set as far back as 1984 by Zola Budd-Pieterse when she clocked 4:01.99 in Durban on 24 June2016 at the Africa Championships. The World Championship bronze medalist over 1500mhas already raced the metric mile once in 2018, clocking 4:23.26 in Tshwaneon 03 February. Not much should be read into this performance though, especially after her blistering 2:35.43* SA 1000m record.

Scott has raced the 1500m twice this seasonon the indoor circuit where she first ran a national record of 4:05.25 (Boston, 10 February) and 4:09.81 (Birmingham, 2 March). That 4:07.25 lowered her previous national record by 3/10th from 4:10.90. The indoor track is very different to running outdoors which makes it difficult to extrapolate how good the 1500m indoor time is in comparison to the outdoors.

With no pace maker, Semenya will have to do the work herself. She will need to go through the 300m mark in around 46-48sec, the 400m in roughly 62-64sec with 2:08 targeted for 800m if she hopes to break the record. A tough ask for someone to do on their own.

“At SA’s it is all about the title,”says Semenya who recently graduated in Sports Management. “So the race is more likely to be tactical. I am really looking forward to chasing Zola’s record. I have the 800m and the 1000m record so it will be good to get the 1500m record too.”

Semenya is raw speed, while Scott seems to get better as the race progresses, making the 1500m an exciting tussle. Semenya will be seeking an 800m/1500m double at the National Championships, a feat she last achieved in 2016, where she also won the 400m title.

*(SA record awaiting ratification)

EVENT INFORMATION: Liquid TelecomAthletix Grand Prix Series

The Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix is more than just a show, it enables athletes the opportunity to compete against South African and global talent; for them to be nurtured and invested in, so that theyhave the potential of becoming green and gold medalists.

Dates and Venues:

Thursday, 22 March 2018 / Dal Josaphat Stadium, Paarl

Ticket Prices:

Main Pavilion Tickets

Standard Ticket: / R 100 each
Children under 16 years of age: / R 50 each

Open Stand/Grass Banks

Standard Ticket: / R 50 each
Children under 16 years of age: / R 50 each

ONLINE TICKET SALES are open and can be purchased via

Tickets can also be purchased at the gate of each event.

Visit the event’s Facebook page for daily announcements!

Facebook: AthletixGrandPrix

Twitter: @AthletixGP

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Website:

ABOUT LIQUID TELECOM

Liquid Telecom is a leading communications services and solutions provider across 13 countries in Eastern, central and Southern Africa that serves carrier, enterprise and retail customers with high-speed, reliable connectivity and digital services.

It has built Africa’s largest independent fibre network, spanning over 50,000km, and operates state-of-the-art data centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Nairobi, with a combined 6,800 square meters of rack space.

This is in addition to leading cloud-based services, such as Microsoft Office365 and Microsoft Azure, and innovative digital content provision, including Netflix, NBA, TED and Kwese Play.

Through this combined offering, Liquid Telecom is enhancing customers’ experience on their digital journey.

About Athletics South Africa:

Athletics South Africa (ASA) is the national governing body for the sport of athletics (including Track and Field, Cross Country, Road Running and Race Walking) in South Africa, is a member of the IAAFand the Confederation of African Athletics. The association is based in Johannesburg.

ENDS

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Sifiso Cele

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081394 2597

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083291 9283