South African teen wins 800 amid gender-test flap

[AzX5]

Man or Woman?




By RYAN LUCAS, Associated Press Writer

BERLIN (AP)—Facing questions about her gender, South African teenager Caster Semenya easily won the 800-meter gold medal Wednesday at the world championships.

Her dominating run came on the same day track and field’s ruling body said she was undergoing a gender test because of concerns she does not meet requirements to compete as a woman.

Semenya took the lead at the halfway mark and opened a commanding lead in the last 400 meters to win by a massive 2.45 seconds in a world-leading 1 minute, 55.45 seconds. Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei was second and Jennifer Meadows of Britain was third in 1:57.93.

After crossing the line, Semenya dusted her shoulders with her hands. Semenya did not speak to reporters after the race or attend a news conference.

About three weeks ago, the international federation asked South African track and field authorities to conduct the verification test. Semenya had burst onto the scene by posting a world-leading time of 1:56.72 at the African junior championships in Maruitius.

Her dramatic improvement in times, muscular build and deep voice sparked speculation about her gender. Ideally, any dispute surrounding an athlete is dealt with before a major competition. But Semenya’s stunning rise from unknown teenage runner to the favorite in the 800 happened almost overnight. That meant the gender test—which takes several weeks—could not be completed in time.

Before the race, IAAF spokesman Nick Davies stressed this is a “medical issue, not an issue of cheating.” He said the “extremely complex” testing has begun. The process requires a physical medical evaluation and includes reports from a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialist and gender expert.

South Africa team manager Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane would not confirm or deny that Semenya was having such a test.

“We entered Caster as a woman and we want to keep it that way,” Mlangeni-Tsholetsane said. “Our conscience is clear in terms of Caster. We have no reservations at all about that.”

Although medals will be awarded for the 800, the race remains under a cloud until the investigation is closed, and Semenya could be stripped of the gold depending on the test results, IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss said.

“But today there is no proof and the benefit of doubt must always be in favor of the athlete,” Weiss said.

Semenya’s rivals said they tried not to dwell on the issue before the race.

“I’ve heard a lot of speculation, but all I could do was just keep a level head and go about my business,” Meadows said. “If none of it’s true, I feel very sorry for her.”

One thing not in doubt was Semenya’s outstanding run.

“Nobody else in the world can do that sort of time at the moment,” Meadows said. “She obviously took the race by storm.”



http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/new...v=ap&type=lgns

[Thunder22]

Looks like a dude to me.

Someone give him/her the Aussie hand shake and find out.

[MINIz guy]

She/he does have some manly characteristics.

I respect the time if it really is a woman. I could barely run her first lap/split at the pace she is running two.

[alewifebp]

It's a man, baby!

[Bozz]

Take the bumpers off this and it could be a bloke as well, plays like one, walks like one, sits down like one, and most probably was a bloke at some time in the past.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/...dd2bbcf387.jpg

http://top-news.fr/wp-content/upload...e-mauresmo.jpg

[chile1]

If she's a woman, she sure tries hard to look like a man (mannerism, hair style, biking shorts, lack of makeup etc). She/he could at least try to be less conspicuous and give the doubters an illusion of femininity.........

[Michelle]

Report: Champion Runner Has Both Female, Male Sexual Characteristics

[Ajogu]

Despite the fact that I think she looks and behaves like a dude, I think she should have been tested before letting her race. I mean, this is really tough on the family.

[pvoltti]

Originally Posted by Ajogu

Despite the fact that I think she looks and behaves like a dude, I think she should have been tested before letting her race. I mean, this is really tough on the family.

Well... those tests are relatively expensive and her family is relatively poor. I guess that it is a tough topic for anyone to go to that kind of tests.

Anyway, in the near future she needs to go to a surgery to remove the testicles and have a hormone treatment for the rest of her life. She might get a cancer if she's not operated at all.