Trust Me, Caster Semenya Is a Woman: Grandma

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 20, 2009 11:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – Caster Semenya’s grandmother thinks it’s ridiculous that people are accusing the new women’s 800-meter champion of being a man. “I know she’s a woman—I raised her myself,” she tells the Times of London. Maphuthi Sekgala says Caster has long been teased for her boyish appearance, but adds "what can I do when they call her a man, when she’s really not a man? It is God who made her look that way."

The South African newcomer blew away the competition last night in Berlin, leaving competitors grumbling. “For me, she is not a woman,” said one Italian runner. Doctors examined Semenya in both South Africa and Berlin, and her medals will be taken away if it is determined that she's not female, the IAAF general secretary says. But her family isn’t worried. “She is my little girl,” her father said. “She is a woman, and I can repeat that a million times.”

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

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/David J. Phillip)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

She called me and told me that they think she’s a man. What can I do when they call her a man, when she’s really not a man? It is God who made her look that way. - Maphuthi Sekgala, Semenya’s 80-year-old grandmother

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Getty Images

White Grandfather Cuffed for Walking With Black Granddaughter (NewsOne)

Man in Mugshot Explains Why He Has Half a Head (HuffPost)

These Exes Were Spotted Making Out … and That's a Bad Thing (Bleacher Report)

Help! I'm Having an Incestuous Relationship With My Twin (Slate)

Proof that Twitter Users are Sexier Than Facebook Users? (GeekSugar)

Partner Links

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

Showing 3 of 13 comments

MarkFL

Aug 21, 2009 10:18 AM CDT

I just would like to know who is accusing her of being a man. Are people just shocked that she is so fast or does someone actually have some evidence beyond all the over the top sexism. flame821 above believes that she is a hybrid between two genders! Unless you have shared a bathroom with this woman, you are full of s*&^t. Who is the accuser?

cognitivefilter

Aug 21, 2009 4:29 AM CDT

as long as a person identifies with one gender i feel that is all they would need.

cognitivefilter

Aug 21, 2009 4:29 AM CDT

irrelevant.

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds Major Cash Inside

Study Finds Arsenic in Baby Formula, Cereal Bars

Times (UK) (Source Grid »)

Sports • Entertainment

South Africa • track and field • women's sports • Jay-ZTV • Caster Semenya

More Newser Stories

Caster Semenya Wins in Return to Track

South African teen missed 11 months while undergoing gender testing

(NEWSER) - Caster Semenya won the 800m at a minor meet tonight in Finland, her first competition since the IAAF cleared the South African teen to compete as a woman . Looking happy and relaxed, she comfortably dealt with a larger-than-usual crowd and massive media contingent, the Guardian reports . "I felt more and more comfortable as I started to do my thing," she said after running a relatively poky 2:04.22—nearly 10 seconds slower than the time that won the world championship a year ago. 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»

The Meaning of Caster Semenya

Gender a more fluid concept than sports are prepared to handle

(NEWSER) - South Africa has rallied around Caster Semenya, but the IAAF still has no idea what to do with her—or the question of gender as a whole. Semenya’s case is particularly personal for South Africans. The country has an unusually high number of intersexed individuals, and apartheid left behind dark memories of people being reclassified against their will, Ariel Levy reports in a lengthy profile on Semenya for the New Yorker. More»

Athletics Boss: I Lied About Semenya

'Tell me someone who has not lied to protect a child,' Chuene says

(NEWSER) - The president of Athletics South Africa admitted today that he lied to cover up gender tests conducted on runner Caster Semenya, saying he was trying to protect her, the Mail & Guardian reports. Leonard Chuene also admitted to rejecting advice from an ASA team doctor to withdraw Semenya from last month’s world athletics championships in Berlin. “I now realize that it was an error of judgment, and I would like to apologize unconditionally,” Chuene said. More»

S. Africa Team Hid Semenya Gender Tests

Officials knew about testes, testosterone

(NEWSER) - Officials at Athletics South Africa covered up tests showing that Caster Semenya had internal testes and unusually high testosterone levels, the Mail & Guardian and Times of London report. ASA leaders told Semenya that the tests, conducted early last month, were for drugs and let her compete in Berlin—where she became the 800-meter champion and aroused questions about her gender. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website