SA athlete to undergo gender test

  1. Posted on Thursday 20 August 2009 - 09:08
    Mernat
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    Mernat Mafirakurewa, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa
    South African teenager Caster Semenya will undergo gender tests after she easily won the 800-meter gold medal Wednesday at the world championships. About three weeks ago, the international federation asked South African track and field authorities to conduct the verification test.
    Semenya of South Africa
    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.

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

    The tests have been sparked by Semenya’s improvement in times, muscular build and deep voice. The athletes will however be awarded the medals for the 800, but the race remains under a cloud until the investigation is closed.

    IAAF general secretary Pierre Weis said Semenya could be stripped of the gold depending on the test results. “But today there is no proof and the benefit of doubt must always be in favor of the athlete,” Weiss said.

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