Reader views (10)

 Add your view

I can uderstand the sensitivity and the personal humiliation this will cuase Semenya.But it comes down to the personal honesty and integrity of each induvidual to be honest up front in everything we do that has public attention, be you a politician ,priest ,gay ,lesbian or whatever it will catch up with if you are dishonest for personal gain. Thats just how I feel about it and express my view with no disrespect to anybody.It will haunt you for the rest of your life.

- Allan Walters, JHB South Africa

Well African women are often comfortable enough in their own skins that they don't use all the 'beauty' technics employed by their black sisters in Europe and America. Historically very few African women were allowed or wanted to become top athletes: in Africa a few extra pounds is considered beautiful and desireable and there is constant upset caused by beauty contests like Miss World favouring the preferred Western traits of 'tall and skinny'. So it is unusual and striking to see a very muscular black woman from southern africa without western make-up and depilation. This woman's face looks like any you might pass walking down the street in Joberg and her body looks no different to Madonna's. Fortunately I'm sure she has already overcome so much rubbish that this unnecessarily public investigation will glide past her as fast as the track.

- Roz, France

If there is one group that should know about Hermaphrodite and Intersex people it is the IAAF. They have acted very badly on this case. To let this out to the media when Caster may well be a person born with with gender that required definition is hard hearted and cruel. Regardless of the outcome of the tests on Caster serious questions need to be asked on the IAAF.

This is not a black/white issue, it is about the conduct of the IAAF.

- Maria, London

In my opinion this is a direct view of our sexist societal beliefs rather than about this one person's story.

There is the possibility that Semenya is just another athlete who wanted to cheat the system and either doped up or as a male, purposely entered as a female; there is also the possibility that she is a hermaphrodite. Part of me hopes that she IS a hermaphrodite, simply to see how the IAAF snatches their medal back, because it would further prove how prejudicial and discriminatory we are. It would also pose these questions; "What are hermaphrodites?, " Are hermaphrodites not human? Why then are they not allowed to compete and keep their medals?", are they therefore saying that only "normal, perfect people are worth the world's attention."?


Of course, she could simply be one of millions of women who naturally produce a higher level of testosterone than others....but then our bigotted society doesn't see them as 'normal, perfect women' either, do we?!

- Van Nyx, Bridgetown, Barbados

Ditto what Mark said:

This case has NOTHING to do with colour as PLENTY of white women have been subjected to this kind of treatment.

Although as Kerry mentioned, it does seem to have been handled exceptionaly badly - when an accusation has the potential to be as humiliting as a woman being accused of being a man, it should at least be kept confidential unless it proves to be true.

- John, London

Katlego Sejamoholo said "There are masculine white female runners out there but they don’t get subjected to this."

Colour has got nothing to with it as in the past there have been a number of female athletes, mainly from the former Eastern Bloc, whose gender has been questioned.

I didn't have a clue who Caster Semenya was until the today and the first time I saw her picture my immediate reaction was "that's a bloke!".

- Mark, South-East London

She looks no more masculine than Ohouragou and I'm sure won't forget to take the tests THREE times.

- Steve, Brentford

This has been handled in the worst way possible and in no way has compassion & her right to privacy been adhered to. The authorities NEVER release names of athletes suspected of drug taking until the second test has come back positive, I wonder if there is some alterior motive behind the publicising of this. Caster's feelings have not been considered at all, it's shameful behaviour! Her continued strenght, dignity in silence shows what a true & strong athlete she is. I cannot begin to imagine how this is all making her feel. Us saffers in London are rooting for you Caster!!!

- Kerry, London, England

Its easy, just take her to the toilet block and see which one she goes into-Gents or Ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Jonny, London

It is sad to see our fellow sister being subjected to such rubbish on woman's month nogal. I wonder if the IAAF would have requested the tests if Semenya didn’t make it to the semi-finals cause she would still look masculine and have facial hair like men do. This proves that Africans are indeed seen as minorities by the rest of the world. There are masculine white female runners out there but they don’t get subjected to this. Could the IAAF not have done this privately ?

To Caster Semenya, I wish you all the best in your career and hold your head up high girl, you know you posses the strength of an African women both inside and outside. The strength that you posses outside is the strength that all African women have inside, we might not all be masculine as you are but we are all the same.

- Katlego Sejamoholo, JHB, South Africa

Add your comment