Refreshed, he returned for a monster playoff run with 12

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Olympic Games is running into a storm of controversy involving Caster Semenya, the favorite in the womens 800 meters. The South African, the unwilling face of tracks ethical and medical dilemma over women with high levels of testosterone, sharply divides opinion -- even among fellow competitors.After qualifying comfortably on Wednesday for the 800 semifinals, Semenya strode past reporters without talking. Her competitors had plenty to say. Some embraced the 25-year-old as just another competitor, while others said theyd rather see women in her situation in separate races.Suspicions among fellow competitors that Semenya isnt the only 800-meter runner in Rio de Janeiro believed to be hyperandrogenic -- a condition that can cause women to produce unusually elevated levels of testosterone -- are adding extra urgency to the debate, especially with Olympic medals on the line. Testosterone is a strength-building hormone in both men and, usually in far lower levels, in women. Until last year, there was a threshold limit on testosterone for women athletes. But that is now on hold, leaving some competitors feeling that hyperandrogenic women are almost unbeatable in the 800.I think that we need separate events for them, and for us, said Nataliia Lupu of Ukraine, who also qualified for the semis. You can see that its easy for them.Semenya, she added, will definitely win against us, even without using her full strength.At the other end of the spectrum of opinion was Tsepang Sello from Lesotho, who did not advance.She is a woman and she must be allowed to run like us, Sello said of Semenya. She is not the only one in the world running as a woman in her condition.The general consensus seemed to be that there is no easy solution that would protect the rights of Semenya and those who run against her. Several athletes refused to discuss the issue that has become a minefield for the International Association of Athletics Federations since its rules governing hyperandrogenic women failed to stand up to a legal challenge brought by Indian sprinter Dutee Chand. Under the rules, hyperandrogenic women who wanted to compete could be obliged to lower their testosterone levels to below the IAAFs required threshold, with surgery or medicinal treatments.The Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended the rules last year, which has allowed hyperandrogenic women to run in Rio without treatment. Semenyas times have improved after the ruling.Its a very peculiar situation, almost unheard of in sports as far I as I know, said Luxembourg runner Charline Mathias, who did not make the semis. I dont see how you can stop her from running. A way has to be found. Of course, she has certain advantages. But even with those advantages, she has to work hard. She trains. She suffers. She has worked hard to get here. Plus, she has the eyes of the world upon her. Theres a lot of discussion around her. Im happy I dont have to take a decision on all this, because I would not know what to do.Semenya has been under unwanted scrutiny ever since word leaked in 2009, just before she won the 800-meter world title as a 19-year-old, that track officials mandated that she undergo sex testing. The IAAF rules were introduced in 2011. She was suspended for 11 months. She came back to win silver at the 2012 London Games, running 1 minute, 57.23 seconds. Her best this season is nearly two seconds quicker.Semenya has never spoken publicly in detail about her condition. Her default position is generally to talk only about her running. That was the case again on Wednesday, after she ran 1:59.31 to win her heat. She didnt talk to reporters, but team officials released an audio file.Im just focusing on enjoying my championships, Semenya said. Times dont matter in championships but medals, gold medals, silver or bronze, those are targets.Semenya appeared to cruise, only briefly unleashing her power with about 200 to go.Trying to feel my body first so I can feel comfortable, she said. I tried to get in the top two the last 200 so I can win and then I can be safe for the semifinals.Chinas Wang Chunyu, who ran a personal best behind Semenya but didnt qualify in fourth, said, Its a bit unfair.But everyone says (her condition) is natural and that not letting her compete was even more unfair, she said.Some athletes said racing against Semenya has forced them to improve.If anything she has probably helped a lot of us run quite a bit faster this year than we might have otherwise, said Frances Justine Fedronic, who also failed to advance.When you line up against someone like that, you know its going to be a completely different ball game, she added. I do feel for her. It is probably not something she was aware of most of her life and she is just trying to be out there are train and compete just like the rest of us so that is really not fair to her but it is not fair for others, too. So I dont know what the solution is. There definitely isnt a clear one.She and other competitors said they are concerned that increasing numbers of hyperandrogenic women will follow Semenyas lead and dominate if rules to limit their perceived advantage arent reintroduced. In its 2015 ruling, the CAS didnt overturn the rules completely, giving the IAAF until July 2017 to produce evidence that hyperandrogenic women have a significant advantage.We dont feel so great about them because we see the energy they are having is not the same energy we are having, said Halimah Nakaayi from Uganda. She advanced to the semis with a personal best 1:59.78. I wish they could form their (own) category because more and more are still coming up. Nike Zoom Wholesale . 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DENVER -- John Elway revamped his offense in the wake of the Denver Broncos third title, shedding both tight ends and three offensive linemen who started in the Super Bowl while bidding farewell to Peyton Manning and his longtime backup Brock Osweiler.Now, its Trevor Siemian and backup Paxton Lynch under center for Denver and neither has ever thrown a pass in the NFL that counted.That defense, though.Despite losing Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan to free agency, Denvers dazzling defense could be even better than the one that brought home the Lombardi Trophy seven months ago with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers, whom they open the season against Thursday night in Denver.Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, who transformed himself from sports superstar to mainstream celebrity during a six-month victory tour that included four dozen TV appearances, missed the entire offseason program but showed up in fantastic shape after signing the biggest contract ever for a non-quarterback .Others who figure to be even better in 2016 are pass rushers Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett, defensive end Derek Wolfe and cornerback Bradley Roby. Todd Davis replaces Trevathan and free agent Jared Crick replaces Jackson.Oddsmakers say the Broncos, who averaged 11 wins during Mannings four-year tenure, wont even hit double figures this season as they become the first team since the 2001 Ravens to try to go back-to-back after losing its top two QBs.Roby said the rest of the country may view the Broncos as a one-hit wonder, but hes pretty sure the Broncos can sustain their dominance and carry the team to another trophy regardless of whos throwing the ball to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.Because defense wins championships and I think people are just saying (that) because we lost two quarterbacks so they automatically have doubts, Roby said. But we know that defense was a big reason why we got to the game and why we won the game. So, we are very confident that well be better this year.Other factors that will determine whether the Broncos can win a sixth straight AFC West crown and defend their Super Bowl title:BOUNCING BACK : Thomas is no longer bogged down by worries over his contract, his mothers incarceration and a new offense. Despite his 105 catches for 1,304 yards in 2015, Thomas reached the end zone just six times, dropped 18 passes and was a non-factor in the playoffs.dddddddddddd With President Barack Obama commuting his grandmothers drug sentence this summer, Thomas has a clear head and promises to cut down on the drops.ANDERSONS DURABILITY : C.J. Anderson signed a four-year, $18 million contract following his 90-yard performance in the Super Bowl. Elway told him with the payday comes higher expectations, specifically that hell finally put together a full season. Over the last two years, Anderson has rushed for 397 yards and one TD over the first two months and 1,112 yards and 12 TDs over the final two months.WARES BACK : DeMarcus Ware accepted a pay cut and a reduction of playing time but hes still one of the teams locker room leaders, especially with Manning retired. Ware is now a third-down specialist with Ray starting. The Broncos hope this will keep Wares bad back from acting up again like it did in 2015, when it cost him five games. Refreshed, he returned for a monster playoff run with 12 QB hits, teaming with Miller to harass Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady and Cam Newton.MARSHALLS MOVE : Brandon Marshall, who collected a team-high 211 tackles since moving into the starting lineup two years ago, is sliding over to weak-side inside linebacker. That spot was vacated when Trevathan bolted to the Bears. Marshall, who was cut three times by the Jaguars before landing on Denvers practice squad in 2013, signed a four-year, $32 million deal this summer.FIRST-RATE SECONDARY : The Broncos again sport the leagues deepest secondary in Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib, Roby, T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart that capitalizes on the pass-rushing prowess of Miller & Co. Although Talib has shown no ill effects of a gunshot wound to his right leg after getting shot in Dallas in June , police continue to investigate. Talib, who has had firearm incidents in the past, could be facing possible punishment from the NFL.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton ' ' '