There is good news to report on Caster Semenya, the South African 800m world champion whose victory was overshadowed by an international controversy over her gender. Semenya will be allowed to keep her 800-meter gold medal and the results of her gender tests will be kept confidential, the South African sports ministry says.
The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has ruled that the 18-year-old, who stormed to victory only for questions to be raised about her gender immediately after the race, was innocent of any wrongdoing. Semenya's victory was overshadowed by the revelation that the IAAF had commissioned a gender test on the teenager. However, South Africa's government, Semenya's lawyers and the IAAF had reached total agreement that she should retain her medal, title and prize money and confirmed that gender tests conducted on Semenya would remain confidential.
The results of complex gender tests were leaked in August that revealed Semenya is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Several South African sports officials, who were recently dismissed, were apparently aware of Semenya's medical condition but did not tell her. The 18-year-old later went into hiding and reportedly received trauma counseling.
Semanya is awaiting a further decision on whether she may continue to compete as a woman.
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
Great to have u back Rod.
And great news for Caster.
Posted by: SouLKid | 19 November 2009 at 11:08
Good news for Caster!
Posted by: CC | 19 November 2009 at 11:36
I'm really glad she gets to keep her medal! However, I am not sure she should be able to compete any further.
Posted by: Isis | 19 November 2009 at 13:23
Brava.
A nice moment of justice in these very sad LGBTQ times.
I am with Isis, in that I am going to be watching how they treat her going forward!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 19 November 2009 at 14:52
She's a woman with a birth defect. Of course she should be allowed to run. This wasn't even an issue until she started winning.
Posted by: FREELEO | 19 November 2009 at 14:55
@Freeleo
I disagree. If she has higher than normal levels of testosterone, that gives her an unfair advantage. Maybe there is surgical procedure to remove the testes and decrease the level of testosterone in her system. I just think it has to be fair and its not about discrimination, its about fairness.
Also, I wonder how Semenya is REALLY doing! Does she even want to run again? I wouldn't blame her if she didn't after the way she was treated! These were people she thought she could trust.
Posted by: Isis | 19 November 2009 at 17:26
some runners have stronger cardio vascular systems. others don't build up lactate acid in their muscles at the same rate as others. do we disqualify them too? she is a young woman and should be treated as such.
Posted by: FREELEO | 19 November 2009 at 17:50
You do make a Good point Freeleo, but I think this situation is different than the ones you mentioned. I guess we will just have to wait and see what decisions are made in regards to Semenya.
Posted by: Isis | 19 November 2009 at 23:00
Frankly, all I can think about is that this 18 year old woman just wanted to excel in her chosen talent/passion. She played by the rules, apparently, and that ultimately lead to her being violated in such a public manner. Of course she is in "trauma couseling"...who wouldn't be under the circumstances?
Posted by: AMark | 20 November 2009 at 01:26