“God made me the way I am, and I accept myself. I am who I am, and I'm proud of myself.”

“I am a dreamer. And what I dream of is to become Olympic champion, world champion, world record holder.”

“I am an athlete, and I focus more on the issues that concern me: training, perform, eat, sleep.”

“I am not a fake. I am natural. I am just being Caster. I don't want to be someone I don't want to be. I don't want to be someone people want me to be. I just want to be me. I was born like this. I don't want any changes.”

“I could never give up athletics. Running is what I will always do. Even if, maybe, the authorities could have stopped me from running in 2009, they could not have stopped me in the fields. I would have carried on with my running; it doesn't matter. When I run I feel free, my mind is free.”

“I don't like fame; I prefer to have no profile. But this is not possible for me.”

“I think I have made a difference. I have meant a lot to my people. I have done well. They are proud of me. And that was the main focus. I was doing it for my people, the people who support me.”

“I think sports are meant to unite people.”

“It's all about the hard work, knowing your strengths and weaknesses. You work on what you know you can do best. I have speed.”

“I've always liked to be on my own, since I was young. I like the sound of a quiet place. It helps me focus.”

“People are always asking me for pictures, signing autographs, everywhere I go. Before, it used to irritate me, but I've learned to handle the situation. I cannot run away unless I lock myself in my room and never go out.”

“The thing I'm afraid of the most with the 800m is injuries. That's why I don't normally like to run in a group: I prefer to be in front, just in case someone pushes me with their spikes. I don't like stuff like that.”

“Times don't matter but medals matter.”

“When I am in that lane, and I hear, 'Caster Semenya from South Africa,' I always know I am doing it for my people. They love and support me, and I will always do them proud; I will always put them first. Without them, I am nothing.”

“When you walk out of your apartment, you think about performing; you do not think about how your opponent looks. So I think the advice from me to everybody is just to go out there and have fun.”

“Yes, I learned history at school; I know everything about apartheid. My dad, he bought the books about it, stuff like that. But I just move on with my life. It's completely different for me.”