Semenya secures another victory

Caster Semenya secured her second 800 metres win on Finnish soil in four days yesterday by coming home first in the Savo Games in Lapinlahti.

The South African was given the all-clear by the International Association of Athletics Federations last week to resume her career, having not competed in 11 months following the furore over her gender.

Having won her comeback race in the Lappeenranta Games on Thursday, she was also untroubled yesterday, cruising home in 2.02.41.

That was almost two seconds faster than on Thursday but still seven seconds slower than the national record she set when winning gold at the world championships in Berlin last August in 1:55.45.

Semenya now heads home to South Africa to continue training and is expected to return to race in Europe next month.

Meanwhile, Liz Yelling remained upbeat on her return to the international stage despite being comfortably beaten into second place in the mixed race by Sue Partridge at the Bupa Great North 10k, in Sunderland, yesterday.

It was only Yelling's third competition since the birth of her daughter Ruby last summer, and she was easily outrun by Partridge, who crossed the line in 33 min 46 sec, 42 seconds ahead of the Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist, with Kate Goodhead third in 35min 18sec.

Yelling, 35, was happy with her display and the two-time Olympian is determined she can challenge for a place in the British team when London hosts the 2012 Games.

"It was good to get out there and blow away the cobwebs," said Yelling, whose return to action had to be put on hold after picking up an injury in training after winning the Silverstone half-marathon in March.

"I am really excited about getting back in great shape and I am going to focus the next two years on qualifying for the 2012 Olympic marathon. I hope my comeback marathon will be the Chicago marathon this October."

The men's event was won by Kenya's Edwin Kipkorir.