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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 UPDATED 
25

S. African Track Star Told to Take Gender Test

Gender confusion has followed Semenya's meteoric success

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(Newser) – The International Association of Athletics Federations has asked South African track star Caster Semenya to undergo gender testing, the BBC reports. The 18-year-old Semenya won the 800-meter final today at the World Championships in Berlin, just weeks after becoming African junior champion by smashing the South African record.

But her rise to fame has been shadowed by questions about her gender. “In the case of this athlete, following her breakthrough in the African junior championships, the rumors, the gossip was starting to build up," said Nick Davies, an IAAF rep. "The gender verification test is an extremely complex procedure,” Davies continued, adding that “the situation today is that we do not have any conclusive evidence that she should not be allowed to run."

FILE -- In this Monday Aug. 17, 2009 file photo South Africa's Caster Semenya competes in a Women's 800m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The IAAF has asked the South African track federation to conduct a gender verification test on 800 meter runner Caster Semenya amid concerns...
FILE -- In this Monday Aug. 17, 2009 file photo South Africa's Caster Semenya competes in a Women's 800m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The IAAF has asked the South African...   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
FILE -- In this Sunday Aug. 16, 2009 file photo South Africa's Caster Semenya reacts after competing in a Women's 800m heat at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The IAAF has asked the South African track federation to conduct a gender verification test on 800 meter runner Caster Semenya...
FILE -- In this Sunday Aug. 16, 2009 file photo South Africa's Caster Semenya reacts after competing in a Women's 800m heat at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The IAAF has asked the South...   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
FILE -- In this Monday Aug. 17, 2009 file photo South Africa's Caster Semenya pauses after competing in a Women's 800m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The IAAF has asked the South African track federation to conduct a gender verification test on 800 meter runner Caster Semenya...
FILE -- In this Monday Aug. 17, 2009 file photo South Africa's Caster Semenya pauses after competing in a Women's 800m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. The IAAF has asked the...   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
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25 comments
VIEWING:
 
gabo
Aug 19, 09 1:47 PM CDT
Oh, those pesky penises, they always get in the way of women's records. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+8
youngblood
Aug 19, 09 1:51 PM CDT
An IAAR rep said "The gender verification test is an extremely complex procedure" Ah how about saying "just Pull down your pants please?!" Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
chas_m
Aug 19, 09 3:36 PM CDT
There's more to it than that ... gender identification is not that cut and dried anymore. I mean, Ann Coulter's a man, but everyone treats HIM like a woman ...
Vote up! Vote down!
+12
IN RESPONSE:
Realist
Aug 19, 09 3:45 PM CDT
@ chaz_m: Shazzam! I've thought that for a while, too :)
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+7
IN RESPONSE:
Caps
Aug 19, 09 3:54 PM CDT
Yes, I too think Ann Coulter was once a man. A women could never be that weird.
Vote up! Vote down!
+7

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UPDATED

Semenya Will Keep Medals; Gender Test Confidential

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Nov 19, 09 7:01 AM CST
(AP) - South African runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800-meter gold medal from the world championships, and she'll keep the results of her gender tests to herself, the South African sports ministry said today. The ministry also said that the 18-year-old Semenya will be allowed to keep her prize money. "... More »

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