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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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36

Semenya Is a Hermaphrodite: Aussie Tab

South African track sensation has no uterus or ovaries: source

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(Newser) – South African track star Caster Semenya is a hermaphrodite, the Daily Telegraph of Australia reports. The 18-year-old has no ovaries or uterus, according to the tabloid, which cites "a source closely involved" in tests ordered by the international track and field governing body after Semenya won the gold medal in the the 800m at the recent world championships. Test have also found her blood contains three times the expected level of testosterone.

The International Association of Athletics Federations is treading lightly to avoid roiling the South African government and African National Congress, according to the source. "There certainly is evidence Semenya is a hermaphrodite. But the trouble is the IAAF now have the whole ANC and the whole of South Africa on their backs," she said. "Everything is going to have to be done absolutely by the book, no question of a challenge to our findings."

South African athlete Caster Semenya laughs with her grandmother Maphuthi Sekgala during a celebration in Moletjie, South Africa, Friday Aug. 28, 2009.
South African athlete Caster Semenya laughs with her grandmother Maphuthi Sekgala during a celebration in Moletjie, South Africa, Friday Aug. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South African athlete Caster Semenya gestures during her celebration at the Ga-Masehlong village in Moletjie, South Africa, Friday Aug. 28, 2009.
South African athlete Caster Semenya gestures during her celebration at the Ga-Masehlong village in Moletjie, South Africa, Friday Aug. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South African runner Caster Semenya displays her gold medal to the crowd, during a parade through the streets of Pretoria, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.
South African runner Caster Semenya displays her gold medal to the crowd, during a parade through the streets of Pretoria, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
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36 comments
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shonangreg
Sep 10, 09 6:07 PM CDT
So, now we can have three sets of sports: men, women, and hermaphrodites. It's just not going to work. This is quite sad, really. Semenya (funny that name ;-) didn't do anything to deserve punishment. She just has no one in her league to compete with . . . Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 10, 09 7:18 PM CDT
Human sex and human sexuality become very complicated, the deeper they dig into this the more confusing it becomes. To be honest she/he must have been aware of this issue and lack of female parts and that would mean his team went ahead fully aware they were in a very gray area. This will not end well I do not think and instead a hero for sports the person will become an outcast once his/her Gov can't gain further publicity
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odowd80
Sep 11, 09 8:33 AM CDT
Or we could just have one set of sports that includes everyone.
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Berzelius
Sep 11, 09 2:39 PM CDT
@odowd80. You make some pretty good arguments; usually. But this comment about one all inclusive league is absurd. Why dont you go check into track times and compare mens with womens and see how that is going to work out. Women are rarely ever going to win. You would have olympics and women would never medal. Its not sexist, its how it would work out. This will be the case in almost everysport.
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jagerhans
Sep 11, 09 3:15 PM CDT
«mens» ?
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