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SA's golden boy Le Clos leads way in #HandsOffCaster movement

Cape Town - As Caster Semenya enters the second day of her appearance at the Court for Arbitration of Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on Tuesday, she does so in the knowledge that she has the support of her Team South Africa team-mates. 

The response from South Africans coming out and backing Semenya on social media has been overwhelming over the past few days, with even SA Rugby and Cricket South Africa making a point of putting their weight behind the 800m Olympic champion. 

Semenya is challenging proposed rules from the IAAF that could force her to lower her testosterone levels.

Swimmer Chad le Clos, the 2012 Olympic champion in the 200m butterfly, led the way with a Twitter video.

"I support Caster through this difficult time," he said.

"I've known her since 2008 when we both carried the flag in Pune for the Youth Commonwealth Games. She is a great ambassador for the country and I say #HandsOffCaster."

Boxer Kevin Lerena, meanwhile, said he was "100% behind" Semenya. 

"You inspire me beyond measure," he added.

On Monday, Semenya and her legal team expressed disappointment at a press release issued by the IAAF which the world athletics governing body disclosed the names of expert witnesses it plans to call before the CAS.

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