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Caster Semenya Cleared to Return to Women's Track and Field

Caster Semenya may return to international women's competition immediately, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced. The 19-year-old South African middle-distance champion has been sidelined for 11 months during complex gender verification testing following her 800-meter victory at the World championships last August.

The Guardian:

"I am thrilled to enter the global athletics arena once again, and look forward to competing with all the disputes behind me," [Semenya] said.The International Association of Athletics Federations confirmed that Semenya, who won gold in the 800m at the World Championships in Berlin last summer, will be eligible to compete against other female athletes. She could target the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October as her first opportunity to win another major senior medal."The process initiated in 2009 in the case of Caster Semenya has now been completed," the IAAF said. "The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts that she can compete with immediate effect. Please note that the medical details of the case remain confidential and the IAAF will make no further comment on the matter.

There has been rampant speculation as to what the "process" might have entailed. South Africa's Sport24 quotes a high-ranking coach who says Athletics South Africa (ASA) confirmed that Semenya has undergone hormonal treatment.

Testing results were leaked last summer that revealed Semenya is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Several South African sports officials, who were dismissed, were aware of Semenya's medical condition but did not tell her. Semenya was allowed to keep her gold medal.

Best of luck to Caster. Here's looking to another gold medal.

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Caster Semenya Cannot Compete Until June Results of Gender Test

There's an update to the story of19-year-old Caster Semenya, the South African middle distance champion who was at the center of a global controversy when she was ordered to submit to gender verification after winning the 800 meters at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Berlin. Athletics South Africa has told Semenya she must wait until June when the testing results are known, reports The Guardian.

The world 800m champion released a statement yesterday indicating her intention to return to the sport immediately, just hours after the ASA said her return would have to wait until the conclusion of testing by the IAAF. In response to Semenya's statement ASA's spokesman, Richard Stander, said: "The IAAF have said the scientific team is due to report back in June, so we are waiting for that."

Semenya has not competed since her victory at the World Championships in Berlin last summer. The 19-year-old had been led to believe she would hear the decision last November but, in frustration at the long delay, released a lengthy statement yesterday apparently in an attempt to speed up a resolution. Semenya's statement read: "I am an athlete first and foremost and it is vital for my competitiveness, my well-being and for my preparations for events during the European summer that I measure my performance against other athletes. "I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions. My coach, agent and I will work closely together to identify and prepare for a limited number of athletics meetings over the course of the coming athletics season."

Testing results were leaked last summer that revealed Semenya is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Several South African sports officials, who were dismissed, were aware of Semenya's medical condition but did not tell her. Semenya was allowed to keep her gold medal.

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

IOC Recommends "Special Medical Centers" for Sex Verification

There is a somewhat  surprising development in sport: The International Olympic Committee has recommended the creation of "special medical centers" that would handle sex verification cases for athletes, reports the AP. The development follows the global publicity surrounding South African runner Caster Semenya, who was ordered to submit to gender tests after she won the 800 meters at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships last summer.

The IOC wants rules put into place by sports bodies to determine the eligibility to compete on a "case by case" basis for athletes whose gender is called into question. The IOC organized a two-day conference with medical specialists in Miami to consider guidelines for handling sex verification cases...The IOC will consult with lawyers and its own athletes' commission to help establish specific guidelines. Among the key conclusions was a proposal to set up health centers where experts would diagnose and treat athletes with what are known as "disorders of sex development."

The results of complex gender tests were leaked last summer that revealed Semenya is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Several South African sports officials, who were dismissed, were aware of Semenya's medical condition but did not tell her. Semenya was allowed to keep her gold medal.

In related news: There is some confusion over if Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete in her country's upcoming athletics season. Earlier this week CNN reported Semenya would be ineligible for competition until the investigation has been completed. The track star's attorneys' dispute that report and claim Semenya "has not been disqualified", reports SA's TIMES LIVE. It does seem, however, that the attorneys may be arguing semantics.

IOC Recommends Gender Test Centers [USA Today]
Semenya Hasn't been Disqualified [Times LIVE]

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

Semenya to Keep Gold Medal

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

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

South African Government Demands Firing of Athletics Chief

More developments on a story Rod 2.0 reported over the weekend. South Africa's sports ministry is now demanding the dismissal of Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene after denying gender verification tests were made on 800m world champion Caster Semenya before her World championship victory last month in Berlin, reports the Telegraph.

Emails have shown not only that the ASA conducted tests last August, but the team's doctor, Harold Adams, advised Mr Chuene to have Miss Semenya withdrawn from the contest. This was ignored and she won the 800 metres, becoming the centre of a worldwide controversy.

Mr Chuene admitted misleading South Africans, claiming that he had done so to protect Miss Semenya's privacy. But Gert Oosthuizen, the country's deputy sports minister, demanded his dismissal. "Mr Chuene has not only lied to us as the ministry, but to the whole country, and this is not acceptable," said the minister. "We now request the membership of ASA to not only take disciplinary action against Mr Chuene, but to fire him from his position as the president of ASA."

Johannesburg-based News 24 reports the Ministry of Sports has on two occasions requested a report from Chuene "on what happened before, during and after Berlin" and has yet to receive a response.

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. Semenya has gone into hiding and is reportedly receiving trauma counseling and is on suicide watch.

IAAF sources said ASA was "well aware" of Caster Semenya's medical condition. Ten days ago, the head track coach resigned after he admitted deliberately misleading Semenya and lying to her about the purpose of the tests.

SA Govt Demands Athletics Chief Sacked [Telegraph]
Cheune Lied to All of SA [News 24]

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

South African Athletics Chief Admits Lying About Semenya Tests

This comes as no surprise: South Africa's top athletics official finally admits a gender verification test was done on Caster Semenya before last month's World Athletics Championships in Berlin .

"Tests were done on August 7, at the recommendation of the association's doctor, we don't know the results yet,"  Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene told the AFP.  Chuene also "apologized" for initially denying knowledge of the test and adds: "If we did not allow the girl to run, we would have deprived her of a medal and suggested that she is not normal."

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. Semenya has gone into hiding and is reportedly receiving trauma counseling and is on suicide watch.

IAAF sources have said Athletics SA was "well aware" of Semenya's medical condition. Ten days ago, the head track coach resigned after he admitted deliberately misleading Semenya and lying to her about the purpose of the tests. Chuene says he will resist calls for his resignation because that is "tantamount to running away."

You keep telling yourself that, Len. It's become very obvious that ASA was more concerned about "depriving" themselves of a medal and less concerned about this girl's well-being.

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

Caster Semenya In Trauma Counseling After Tests Leaked

South African middle distance runner Caster Semenya has gone into hiding and is reportedly receiving trauma counseling after tests were leaked that reveal she is intersexed, according to South African media.

News 24: "As Semenya withdrew from a 4km cross-country race in Pretoria on Saturday, Athletics South Africa spokeswoman Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane confirmed the athlete was receiving counseling but denied a report that she is suicidal. Mlangeni-Tsholetsane said: 'She has not mentioned suicide. She is an extremely strong and determined young woman. But the past few days have been extremely difficult. Every day she meets with psychologists who are trying to help her through what is happening around her. We are concerned for her well-being.' "

Meanwhile, Athletics South Africa (ASA) demands the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) apologize to Caster Semenya for their handling of the investigation into her gender. The story of the 18 year-old University of Pretoria student who won 800m gold in a world-leading time, now the focus of a gender controversy, has become a global phenomenon. The results of complex gender tests were leaked last week that reveal she is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries.

Semenya Receiving Counseling [News 24]
ASA Calls on IAAF to Apologize [Guardian]

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Semenya Withdraws from Race After Reports Say She is Intersex

One day after reports were broadcast around the world that South African middle distance runner Caster Semenya is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries, the 18-year-old track phenomenon has decided to withdraw from a race, reports the Times LIVE SA.

Semenya has withdrawn from the women's 4km race at the South African Cross Country Championships in Pretoria on Saturday. .. On Friday morning Athletics South Africa cancelled a press conference scheduled with Semenya in Pretoria on Saturday, and later in the afternoon her coach, Michael Seme, confirmed she would not take part in her last race of the season. "We have decided that Caster will not run tomorrow," Seme said. When pushed for a reason, he added that she was"'not feeling well."

The 800-meter world champion's family is outraged gender verification test results were leaked and reports say their child is intersexed.

African National Congress MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is urging South Africans to support of Caster Semenya after reports surfaced that she is intersexed, reports News 24. Says Madikizela-Mandela: "I do not understand how any sane person can blame this child for a biological problem which is not of her making. ... Every mother and grandmother, should stand up and support the mother of this child and this child. She needs our moral support. We should tell her how proud we are of her."

Semenya Pulls Out of 4K Race [LIVE]
Caster Needs Support: Winnie [News 24]

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Report: Caster Semenya Intersex, Internal Testes and No Ovaries

There are new developments in the case of Caster Semenya, the South African track star at the center of an international controversy over gender. The Sydney Daily Telegraph quotes an anonymous IAAF source who claims the results of complex gender tests reveal she is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries.

"The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is ready to disqualify Semenya from future events and advise her to have immediate surgery because her condition carries grave health risks. They have also not ruled out stripping Semenya of her 800m world championships gold medal. Tests conducted during the world athletics championships in Berlin last month, where Semenya's gender became the subject of heated debate following her victory in the 800m, revealed evidence she is a hermaphrodite, someone with both male and female sexual characteristics.

Semenya, 18, has three times the amount of testosterone that a "normal'' female would have. According to a source closely involved with the Semenya examinations IAAF testing, which included various scans, has revealed she has internal testes - the male sexual organs which produce testosterone."

The IAAF expects to receive the full suite of medical results this week. The report also indicates the results have not been discussed with Caster Semenya, and, she is not aware of her medical condition. If this is true, it would be a gross violation of medical privacy and the IAAF is violating its own rules.

Caster Semenya won the gold medal in the women's 800 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. At the time, it was revealed the teenage track phenom was the focus of a gender verification process. Although the South African government filed a complaint against the IAAF with the United Nations, the IAAF source quoted in the Daily Telegraph claims Athletics SA was well aware of Semenya's medical condition: "Basically they (ASA) have known for months, for years, that she's not normal. They could have set in process these kind of tests if they had been more responsible.''

Last week, when questioned about the controversy by the South African magazine YOU, Semenya said: "God made me the way I am and I accept myself. I am who I am and I'm proud of myself. I don't want to talk about the tests. I'm not even thinking about them."

Caster Has No Womb or Ovaries [SDT]

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SA Sprinter Caster Semenya Gets Makeover [R20]
"Elevated Testosterone" Levels in Caster Semenya [R20]
Gender Testing Ordered for Gold Medalist Semenya [R20]