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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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14

South Africa: Ax Lying Semenya Official

His coverup hurt runner, says sports minister

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(Newser) – South African government officials are calling for the firing of an athletic director who admitted lying about gender tests before Caster Semenya entered her controversial World Championship race last month. "His lies were to Ms. Semenya's detriment," said a statement from the nation's sports minister, reports the BBC. Leonard Chuene "has not only lied to us at the ministry, but to the whole country, and this is not acceptable."

Chuene, head of Athletics South Africa, admitted he lied when he said no gender tests on the apparently intersex runner had been conducted. He also did not reveal a physician's recommendation that Semenya be pulled from the event. He said he lied to protect Semenya's confidentiality.

South African athlete Caster Semenya laughs with her grandmother during a celebration in their village following Semenya's victory in a World Championship race.
South African athlete Caster Semenya laughs with her grandmother during a celebration in their village following Semenya's victory in a World Championship race.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa's Caster Semenya pauses after competing in the Women's 800m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last month.
South Africa's Caster Semenya pauses after competing in the Women's 800m semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last month.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, address the media during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday Sept. 19, 2009. Chuene apologized Saturday for denying knowledge of gender tests done on runner Caster Semenya in South Africa, saying he lied to protect the athlete's privacy.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene, address the media during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, Saturday Sept. 19, 2009. Chuene apologized Saturday for denying knowledge...   (AP Photo)
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14 comments
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Todd_English
Sep 20, 09 6:50 AM CDT
They probably all know about it....he was just the scapegoat. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Sep 21, 09 5:36 AM CDT
No, I doubt it. His lies allowed the debacle, and while the minister, the president and other politicians have acted appallingly since then, it was Chuene who made a shockingly wrong decision that ruined this athlete's year (and maybe her life). And he did it purely for selfish, vainglorious reasons.
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0
Laugh
Sep 20, 09 6:53 AM CDT
Then he tried to incite racial hatred in the people of South Africa to cover for him, by saying "we shouldn't let Europeans define our children" among other. He's nauseating and an embarrassment to SA. Reply
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+3
schmidtkoff
Sep 20, 09 8:36 AM CDT
"Mr Chuene has not only lied to us as the ministry, but to the whole country, and this is not acceptable,..." hell, he lied to the whole world. and THAT is not acceptable. this is just a sad story playing out on the world stage. throw the bum out. i feel bad for semenya for being thrust into this unwanted controversy. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Rocket448
Sep 20, 09 11:41 AM CDT
for once I find agreement with jiblitz. It seems that fairness will bring us together.
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-4

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