SA Olympics Suspends Chuene and ASA Over Caster Semenya

Dramatic update to the case of South African middle distance runner Caster Semenya. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee has suspended Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene, the entire board and other ASA employees "for their handling of the Caster Semenya gender fiasco", reports Independent Online. SASOC suspended ASA after the athletics body challenged its authority to suspend Chuene. 

The 18-year-old University of Pretoria athlete has been the subject of a gender controversy since winning the 800m race in record time at the IAAF games. The results of complex gender tests were leaked last week that reveal she is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Chuene previously denied gender verification tests were begun on Semenya before Berlin. IAAF sources say ASA was "well aware" of Caster Semenya's medical condition and did not tell her.

R20's Coverage on Caster Semenya ...
SA Athletics Chief Admits Lying About Tests
Semenya In Trauma Counseling After Tests Leaked
Semenya Withdraws from Race After Intersex Reports
SA Sprinter Caster Semenya Gets Makeover
"Elevated Testosterone" Levels in Caster Semenya
Gender Testing Ordered for Gold Medalist Semenya
Report: Semenya Intersex, Internal Testes, No Ovaries

Comments

[DC in Chicago]

My heart goes out to Semenya. Managing and navigating our own gender issues can be so difficult for anyone - but to fall into an "in-between category" amidst challenges to your major accomplishments and to go through all of that in public is indeed traumatic.

It's my prayer that society as a whole enters into a deeper discussion and search for understanding in how we handle gender and that Semenya be comforted and supported through this experience.

[LaurynX]

Well I am glad they were fired for this. They def. deserved it.

[Diva1961]

I wish her peace. She has stayed out of the spotlight ever since this has all come out. I hope her family is comforting her somewhere and is filling her with love and support.

[dt]

I feel so bad for this woman that her condition was broadcast for the world to see instead in the privacy of her doctor's office. It sounds like she has a condition called Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and just found out with the world watching. Yeah, these folks really should be fired for what they put her through alone. I hope this does not break her. I hope she can still move on and have a decent life after this fiasco.