Britain’s Lynsey Sharp went through by right, and USA’s Kate Grace, in third also managed to secure a spot in the final

Semenya has hyperandrogenism - a condition that means her testosterone levels are three times higher than those of other women

Strong: Caster Semenya ran in just under two minutes during her semi-final at Rio 2016 on Thursday qualifying for the final

South African athlete Caster Semenya displayed both power and grace as she cruised to a place in the final of the women's 800m at the Olympic stadium in Rio on Thursday night.

As in her heat earlier this week, Semenya breezed into to final with an assured performance running under two minutes and barely looking out of breath.

She hung back and let others lead out of the field before powering through the gears on the finishing straight.

Britain’s Lynsey Sharp went through by right with the second fastest time along with the USA’s Kate Grace who came in third.

The South African has been at the center of a media storm since she broke onto the scene with victory at the World Championships in 2009.

Athletics' governing body became suspicious and asked her to undertake gender verification testing.

She was diagnosed with - hyperandrogenism meaning her testosterone levels were far in excess of the vast majority of women - up to three times higher.

Focused: Caster Semenya of South Africa says she is 100% focused on winning the gold medal rather the furor surrounding her championship

Semenya held back in the race until the final 200m when she appeared to shift gears and power to victory

Semenya has no womb or ovaries - but, and because, of a chromosomal abnormality, she has internal testes.

She has made no public comment since, and neither have officials.

Speaking after her heat, Semenya said: 'I am focused on enjoying my championship and it's going to be a tough 800. 'Medals matter. I just want to run my own race and so far it's been very good.'

She tweeted an image on August 13 which read: 'Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.'

Unprecedented: 2016 is the first Olympics that Semenya is competing in without having taken testosterone suppressants

She has also hit back at 'haters' claiming she should not compete as her fans posted the hashtags #HandsOffCaster and #GoCaster on social media.

Springing to the runner's defence, #GoCaster fans have accused detractors of being sexist and racist.

They have also pointed out the physical advantages enjoyed by the American swimmer Michael Phelps, who has size 14 feet and unnaturally flexible ankles.

During London 2012 Semenya won silver in the 800m after taking suppressants to lower her testosterone levels – on the orders of the IAAF.

Semenya was controversially forced to undergo gender testing by athletics ruling body, the IAAF, following a successful season in 2009

But last year, an Indian athlete successfully challenged its mandatory treatment for hyperandrogenism, and the rule was subsequently dropped.

This means that 2016 is the first Olympics that Semenya has competed in without having taken testosterone suppressants.

There is now total confusion about what the rule are, or should be and no decision will be made until July of next year.

Her competitors also feel that it is unfair that there are no clear cut rules.

Sumena says she is focused on winning the medal and enjoying her championship.

Since being allowed to compete with unfettered hormone levels, Semenya has clocked some of the fastest times in the world and never looked stronger.

In the running: Semenya has hit back at 'haters' claiming she should not compete as her supporters posted the hashtags #HandsOffCaster and #GoCaster on social media

In April she won the 400m, 800m and 1,500m at the South African national championships in just one afternoon.

She also ran her personal best in the 800m last month - leaving her hot favorite for gold in Rio with a possibility of her breaking the world record.

But Semenya's controversial involvement in the competition at all running against other women with normal hormone levels has split opinion.

Semenya prepares to compete in the women's 800m semi-final at the Rio Olympic Stadium