(CNN) Embattled athlete Caster Semenya has traded her running shoes for football boots after joining JVW Football Club in the South African SASOL League.

The two-time Olympic 800 meter champion has been barred from defending her world 800m title in Doha this month unless she takes hormone-suppressing drugs.

And while her athletics career is on ice, the 28-year-old has been training with JVW in eastern Johannesburg.

"I am grateful for this opportunity and I appreciate the love and support I already get from the team," Semenya said on the club's website. "I am looking forward to this new journey, and hopefully I can contribute as much as I can to the club."

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