Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Experts Called In to Review Semenya's Gender Tests

South African track champ may be suffering chromosomal disorder

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2009 2:44 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The International Association of Athletics Federations' gender testing on Caster Semenya is complete, and enough doubt remains that she is truly female that experts have been called in to examine the results, the Daily Telegraph reports. The review will determine whether the South African runner suffers from a chromosomal disorder that may give her an unfair athletic advantage. But the IAAF has confirmed that whatever the outcome, she won't be stripped of the 800-meter gold medal she won last month.

"There is no automatic disqualification of results in a case like this," an IAAF spokesman told AP. "This is not a doping case at present so it shouldn't be considered as one where you have a retroactive stripping of results." The 18-year-old's test results will not be made public, officials said.

South African runner Caster Semenya reacts to the crowd during a parade through the streets of Pretoria last month.
South African runner Caster Semenya reacts to the crowd during a parade through the streets of Pretoria last month.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Caster Semenya celebrates after her arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month.
Caster Semenya celebrates after her arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South African athlete Caster Semenya gestures during her celebration at the Ga-Masehlong village in South Africa last month.
South African athlete Caster Semenya gestures during her celebration at the Ga-Masehlong village in South Africa last month.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
aces08
Sep 10, 2009 3:13 AM CDT
Can you imagine yourself at the age of 18 being put through an embarrassing amount of tests such as this that is made public worldwide about your gender. Ughh so ridiculous.
grassisntgreener
Sep 9, 2009 10:31 AM CDT
Whatever,in this case i suppose one would have to 'pick a team',if its chromosonal and she lives as a woman,so what.theres no Third gender team.Or then would She have to play on the mens team?Ridiculous is right! leave her alone.If she is removed from the team after the results are in,I think the public can make their own inference as to the test results.
Snarfeh
Sep 9, 2009 9:58 AM CDT
That's ok...she's dressing as you for Halloween which is a lot harder for her to pull off since she's so slender, athletic and physically imposing...

 
South Africa • athletics • IAAF • gold medalist • gender confusion • Caster Semenya • gender test

More Newser Stories

Runners Furious Over Caster Semenya's Return

Caster Semenya Wins in Return to Track

Semenya Not Picked for South Africa Team

Semenya Cleared for Women's Races

Angry Semenya: I'm Coming Back
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne