Semenya's Makeover Downright Cynical

South African track champ may be suffering chromosomal disorder

(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. More»

(NEWSER) - Pre-race World Championship blood tests on super South African runner Caster Semenya revealed testosterone levels three times typical female rates, a source tells the Telegraph. The results of the tests, carried out in South Africa, contributed to a decision by sports officials to call for "gender verification" tests on the 18-year-old gold medalist. It was also revealed that the head coach of Semenya's team is controversial Dr. Ekkart Arbeit. More»

Complain of 'literally running against a man'

(NEWSER) - Though she's only been training seriously for a month, Caster Semenya sailed to victory in the 800m yesterday in Berlin, prompting resentment among her female competitors. "Even if she is a female, she's on the very fringe of the normal athlete female biological composition from what I understand of hormone testing," said Canadian Diane Cummins, who finished eighth. "So, from that perspective, most of us just feel that we are literally running against a man." More»

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»

Board rules in favor of South African runner

(AP) - South African runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800-meter gold medal from the world championships, and she'll keep the results of her gender tests to herself, the South African sports ministry said today. The ministry also said that the 18-year-old Semenya will be allowed to keep her prize money. "Whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor," the sports ministry said. More»