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Athletics Boss: I Lied About Semenya

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

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 19, 2009 4:21 PM CDT
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(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.

“I felt that at the time I was acting in the best interests of Caster Semenya as a person," Chuene said, the Guardian reports. "I believed at the time my consistent denials would help protect her. I was not going to stop her talent because of rumors. My only crime committed was to take a decision that she must run, and she won. Tell me someone who has not lied to protect a child.”

This Aug. 25, 2009 file photo shows South Africa's athlete Caster Semenya.
This Aug. 25, 2009 file photo shows South Africa's athlete Caster Semenya.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)
South Africa's Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the gold medal in the final of the Women's 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
South Africa's Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the gold medal in the final of the Women's 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, looks on during his press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday Sept. 19, 2009.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, looks on during his press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday Sept. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, address the media during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday Sept. 19, 2009.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, address the media during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday Sept. 19, 2009.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
BlahBlahBlah
Sep 22, 2009 4:16 AM CDT
So, you where trying to protect her? Oh, you mean by lying about her gender test, putting her on the world stage, letting her fend for herself, and waiting this long to fess up. Good job dummy.
bewilderbeast
Sep 21, 2009 10:30 AM CDT
Hear, hear. Chuene is a disgrace - BUT: He's well-connected politically. Most likely he'll just be "re-deployed".
hamsammichs
Sep 20, 2009 5:59 AM CDT
haha they do this to get a rise out of you guys.... and it works. more power to them. bigots fight ON!
Sports • Science • World

 
South Africa • hermaphrodite • IAAF • track and field • Caster Semenya • gender test

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