Caster Semenya: Local Gender Tests Done On South African Runner

JOHANNESBURG — A South African newspaper has published what it says are e-mails showing local track officials authorized gender tests done in the country on runner Caster Semenya.

South African officials have repeatedly said tests were done only abroad, not in South Africa, before Semenya's 800-meter world victory in Berlin.

In e-mails published Friday by Mail & Guardian, general manager of Athletics South Africa Molatelo Malehopo apparently gives team doctor Harold Adams permission to "go ahead" with tests requested by the international track and field body.

ASA president Leonard Chuene was copied in on an earlier e-mail to Malehopo asking for advice on handling the "confidential matter."

Neither Chuene, Malehopo nor Adams were immediately available for comment.

Comments

[Dr Kelly Sennholz]

However unfortunate this is for this young athlete, it has opened a conversation about what it means to be a man or woman, which is great for us all. In my work in neonatology years ago, this was an interesting aspect of the job. Perhaps we can see each other more clearly as human beings. Responding to Davidway.. obviously, gender is not so well defined in many cases.

[Pjnpurcell]

The Problem, as I see it, is one of the narrowness of thought as to what constitutes male or female. Apparently there are many versions between fully female and fully male, but sporting and other rules do not make the distinctions. If, as it seems, the SA Athletic Federation knew the facts before Caster went, then they sacrificed her/his privacy to gain notoriety. How much more publicity has Sth Africa had over this than just winning the Medal would have engendered?
Victor Borge joked once, " I dont know if you are aware that there are three sexes in Denmark - Male, Female and Convertible!" Sadly it now is all too true. Another problem with this condition is how one copes with "Gender Bias" - which one????
It has also been mentioned in greek Mythology, I think - Caster and Bollox.

[lionzion]

"she's a man, baby"

~Austin powers~

[davidwayneosedach]

What's the big deal? It's not exactly exhausting to determine gender.

[khg1]

I knew that the South African official knew before hand. Their desperation for a win has complete messed up Casters life in a very public way.

But I do think that it has opened up a very interesting debate about intersexed individuals.

[Palemoon]

Well, I am glad that the South African press had jumped into the fray and is trying to hold the Sports Ministry accountable for all of their wrongdoing in this case.

[eden4barack08]

I concur. Although I doubt the ASA will ever take responsibility for ruining this athlete's career and maybe her life too. They will continue to cry foul and point fingers at the IAAF for something they could've and should've taken care of before throwing that poor girl in the international scene. And in the end, Caster's the only one who pays.

[swimbiker]

The tests may have saved her life, for the reports are that internal testes in a female can easily become cancerous. Would you rather she not know about her condition?