Masilingi shifts focus to coaching amid uncertain return to athletics
Namibian sprinter Beatrice Masilingi has turned her attention to coaching and business after spending about a year away from competitive athletics, saying she is unlikely to return unless regulations governing female athletes change.
Speaking exclusively to the Namibian Sun last week, the 23-year-old said she stopped taking medication for health reasons, which has left her unable to compete under the current World Athletics regulations.
World Athletics’ Differences of Sex Development (DSD) regulations require certain female athletes to reduce their natural testosterone levels to compete in specified women’s events. The rules previously forced Masilingi and fellow Namibian sprinter Christine Mboma out of the 400m and into shorter distances.
She said a return to competition would depend on changes to the regulations.
“Unless these regulations change in the near future, I don’t think I would want to go back. If I’m not going to run freely, I’d rather just step back,” she said.
With her competitive career on hold, Masilingi has completed a World Athletics Level 1 coaching course and launched her own sprint academy.
“Since I can’t run, I’d rather pass on my knowledge to the next generation,” she said.
She also said the lack of recent competition has affected corporate sponsorship, noting that she has not received significant corporate support since around 2023.
Despite stepping away from the track, Masilingi said she remains grateful for the support she received from Namibians and believes they could soon see her back in the athletics spotlight, this time alongside athletes she coaches.
