Caster Semenya inspires a new generation of athletes
“It’s about changing lives. It’s about motivating the young ones and showing them that if it is possible for me to win, it can be possible for any other athlete," Caster Semenya.
While the Discovery Walter Sisulu continued entertaining soccer fans at the Nike Football Centre in Klipspruit, a cadre of Johannesburg’s most talented young athletes were given the chance of a lifetime when they were invited to attend an exclusive training camp with Olympic and World Champion Caster Semenya.
The Born to Do It camp, held on Saturday, December 8, was an opportunity for Semenya to give back to the sport of running and most importantly, empower the next generation of runners.
These young athletes were given insights into the sport, culture, personal branding and experienced first-hand how sport can be a multiplier in their lives.
“It’s about changing lives. It’s about motivating the young ones and showing them that if it is possible for me to win, it can be possible for any other athlete. If I can impact positively on these youngsters, that will be a major win for me, for our nation,” Semenya said.
It was not just about running, the likes of stylist and photographer Trevor Stuurman spent time showing the athletes how to create and manage their personal brands while designer Manthe Ribane helped them create customised running t-shirts with personalised mottos.
The athletes who attended the camp were young ambitious and disrupting Jozi’s running scene in collaboration with Nike. Fearless and independent, they are carrying on the journey started in the short film, ‘Born to do this’, which celebrates Semenya’s achievements in the face of many challenges.
Having overcome their own personal challenges to chase their dreams, each athlete has excelled in their chosen disciplines thanks to an unwavering self-belief.
“These young people defy expectations. They create their own opportunities and they are passionate about running. They are the next generation of great athletes and they are the future for the sport of running in South Africa,” says Simidele Adeagbo Running Brand Manager at Nike South Africa.
Nike is collaborating with the athletes to reset the look of running in Jozi. Driven by the innovation behind Nike’s lightweight ZoomX technology, the eight athletes will be kitted out head to toe in the shoe brand’s latest running gear to reveal a fresh new look for the sport.
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