Savinova holds off Semenya
Russian world champion Mariya Savinova held off a fast-finishing Caster Semenya of South Africa on Saturday to win the 800 metres Olympic title.
Savinova, who was winning a fifth successive major title, made the decisive break coming round the bend and while the young South African came from fifth to second she had left herself too much to do.
Savinova timed 1min 56.19sec to Semenya's 1:57.23 while another Russian, Ekaterina Poistogova, took bronze.
"It's just amazing. Right now I can't feel anything, but I'm amazed," said the 26-year-old champion.
Semenya accepted that she had not run the greatest tactical race of her life -- she was last going down the back straight.
"We all make mistakes, hopefully the next race will be better," said Semenya.
"It was a good race, I am happy with the result. I left it a bit late, but I am happy with the silver. But my coach (former Olympic champion Maria Mutola) is not really happy but Savinova is a good athlete, a good competitor.
"I just need to train harder. I must let the (Russians) know I'm there."
Kenya's defending champion Pamela Jelimo had taken the pace up 300 metres out but was overwhelmed by Savinova's burst and the 22-year-old was passed by Semenya and edged out on the line by Poistogova.
"I knew the Russians were very strong," said Jelimo.
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