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Judging Gender Trickier Than You Think

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2009 5:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – After her big win yesterday in a world track meet, South Africa's Caster Semenya has to undergo a gender test to prove that she is, in fact, a woman. This is way more complicated than it sounds, writes Melonyce McAfee in a Slate Explainer column updated from a similar case a few years ago. It requires a small army of specialists—"gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists, and experts on transgender issues"—and a battery of tests that take weeks to decipher.

Olympic officials started testing female athletes in the 1960s with simple physicals, but "ambiguous" sex organs fooled them. More sophisticated tests for chromosomes and testosterone followed, but a myriad of genetic abnormalities further confused the issue. Hence, the panel of specialists. Along with chromosomal tests, "gynecologists perform physical exams; endocrinologists diagnose gene disorders and resulting hormonal conditions; and athletes may be given psychological help to deal with the situation."

South Africa's Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the gold medal in the final of the Women's 800m during the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

The IAAF has asked the South African track federation to conduct a gender verification test on 18-year-old Caster Semenya amid concerns she does not meet the requirements to compete as a woman. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 16 comments

riffran

Aug 21, 2009 10:13 AM CDT

chimerism....(i do beleive the term is)...has been documented in a few cases. One poor lady in Britain had absolute hell in a custody case because of it, the genetic test on her , and the kids didn't match...it was her blended sisters ovaries producing the eggs, so she gave birth to children that the test said were not hers..."she won though"...I remember her quoting.."I got the bloody damn stretch marks and tore clean to the bum having those kids, they bloody well ARE mine".....lol....she was feisty

riffran

Aug 21, 2009 10:07 AM CDT

a DNA test would prove the sex of the tested. hormonal treatments or surgery will NOT alter that result, but to be fair, there are some rare genetic conditions such as turners or kleinfelters syndrome where ther is an extra Y or X depending on the individual....but that androgenous person in the picture really does not fit the body morphology, of either

freethemall

Aug 21, 2009 2:55 AM CDT

Good point. I'd had heard that before, but forgot.

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transgender • World Championships • Y chromosomes • Jay-ZTV • Caster Semenya • gender test

More Newser Stories

Runners Furious Over Caster Semenya's Return

Complain of 'literally running against a man'

(NEWSER) - Though she's only been training seriously for a month, Caster Semenya sailed to victory in the 800m yesterday in Berlin, prompting resentment among her female competitors. "Even if she is a female, she's on the very fringe of the normal athlete female biological composition from what I understand of hormone testing," said Canadian Diane Cummins, who finished eighth. "So, from that perspective, most of us just feel that we are literally running against a man." More»

Semenya Cleared for Women's Races

She has been undergoing 'treatment'

(NEWSER) - The International Association of Athletics Federations has cleared South African runner Caster Semenya to compete in female races following an investigation into her gender, reports the Telegraph . Semenya, 19, hasn't competed since her runaway 800 meter win in the World Championships nearly a year ago while sports authorities made their determination. It's believed that Semenya has been under treatment during that time for an inter-sex condition, which may have an impact on her future performance. She could compete again as early as this month in the World Junior Championships in Canada. More»

Caster Semenya Will Return to Competition

Coach says she'll run even as gender inquiry continues

(NEWSER) - The South African runner at the center of a controversy over gender plans to return to racing next month. Caster Semenya, the women's 800-meters world champ, will run in a few local races in advance of a return to international events, her coach tells the BBC . The move comes despite a continuing inquiry into her gender by the IAAF, the world sports governing body. More»

Semenya Will Keep Medals; Gender Test Confidential

Board rules in favor of South African runner

(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. "Whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor," the sports ministry said. More»

Strip Club's Ad Pokes Fun at Hermaphrodite Runner

'No need for gender testing!' billboard draws complaints

(NEWSER) - A strip club’s seemingly obvious reference to the South African runner revealed to be a hermaphrodite is, predictably, drawing complaints—though the club’s owner says his billboard proclaiming “No need for gender testing!” underneath a busty model isn’t a stab at Caster Semenya. Lolly Jackson says the latest promotional blitz for Teazers (“the teaze without the sleaze”) is in fact calling out the athletics official who knew about Semenya’s condition. More»

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Judging Gender Trickier Than You Think

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transgender • World Championships • Y chromosomes • Jay-ZTV • Caster Semenya • gender test

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Runners Furious Over Caster Semenya's Return

Complain of 'literally running against a man'

Semenya Cleared for Women's Races

She has been undergoing 'treatment'

Caster Semenya Will Return to Competition

Coach says she'll run even as gender inquiry continues

Semenya Will Keep Medals; Gender Test Confidential

Board rules in favor of South African runner

Strip Club's Ad Pokes Fun at Hermaphrodite Runner

'No need for gender testing!' billboard draws complaints

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Judging Gender Trickier Than You Think

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

transgender • World Championships • Y chromosomes • Jay-ZTV • Caster Semenya • gender test

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Runners Furious Over Caster Semenya's Return

Complain of 'literally running against a man'

Semenya Cleared for Women's Races

She has been undergoing 'treatment'

Caster Semenya Will Return to Competition

Coach says she'll run even as gender inquiry continues

Semenya Will Keep Medals; Gender Test Confidential

Board rules in favor of South African runner

Strip Club's Ad Pokes Fun at Hermaphrodite Runner

'No need for gender testing!' billboard draws complaints

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?