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Sex tests show athlete Caster Semenya is hermaphrodite
Stewart MacLean in Capetown11 Sep 2009
Gender row runner Caster Semenya is a hermaphrodite, her country said today.
South Africa's sports minister confirmed the findings of scientific tests on the 18-year-old as he warned he would take legal action if Semenya was not allowed to compete as a woman.
Semenya - whose name is an anagram for Yes A Secret Man - won gold in the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships.
But questions were raised about whether she really is a woman after tests showed she had testosterone levels three times the norm and an investigation was ordered.
Today sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile described the treatment of the runner by the governing body of world athletics, the IAAF, as "disgusting".
Confirming the outcome of the tests he said: "They indicate that she is a hermaphrodite. For me that means nothing. The issue here is not whether she is a hermaphrodite or not.
"Where is the science that says hermaphrodites have an advantage?"
"No one doubts her gender any more. Now the issue is of the percentages of her gender; this is unethical and disgusting."
He added: "I think it would be the third world war. We will go to the highest levels in contesting such a decision. I think it would be totally unfair and totally unjust.
"The ministry feels let down by the way this matter is being handled by those with devious vested interest, especially after being promised a meeting with the IAAF leadership."
Officials indicated South Africa was investigating the possibility of helping Semenya sue the IAAF after the results of the gender tests were leaked.
Tests conducted on Semenya revealed the athlete is a hermaphrodite with no womb but with both male and female sex organs.
The head of athletics in South Africa said Semenya was now being comforted by her parents following all the revelations about her.
Leonard Chuene told the Cape Argus newspaper: "She is a very strong character. Her coach is there. And her father and mother are with her.
"You can call all the psychologists in the world, but what she needs is her parents."
Reader views (7)
God is the creator of all things...He makes no mistakes. If she is born with both sex organs than it is up to no man to pick one over the other. Whatever the parents raised the individual as...that's what he/she should be. They say daughter then that's that. God has the final say and those who stand in judgement shall themselves be judged. She won that metal fair and square get over it. Need answers go to the one who created her and ask Him. Ask God and see what answer He gives. Blessings to you all.
- Heavenspen, USA, 14/09/2009 08:38
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Can you people just leave semenya ALONE. Man or woman beta yet even if she was both.who are we to judge.God has a reason why she/he is like that so the rest of us should jst let her/him be.
- Terry, Nairobi kenya, 11/09/2009 16:37
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He should be stripped of the gold medal and in future run as a man
This is unfair competition against genuine women
- Gary, Bristol, 11/09/2009 16:36
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The question that occurs to me is this: Do the rules that govern women's track and field state that you must be a woman, or that you must not be a man?
Obviously her family thought she was a female, because her external organs suggested that. Apparently there was no intention to defraud. It will be interesting to see how the powers that be react with something that is likely devastating to her as well as her family.
- Cheryl Jones, Los Angeles, California ---USA, 11/09/2009 16:31
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yes a secret man won the 800 m women's race but what is the real name of caster semenya when they were born come the olympic games in 2012 semenya should run as a man in the man's race not in the women's race and take on usain bolt
- Hafi, london,uk, 11/09/2009 14:54
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Caster Semenya is an exact anagram of "Yes, A Secret Man".
- Neil, London, London UK, 11/09/2009 11:56
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The public nature of these disclosures is a total discgrace and will make it very difficult for Semenya to come to terms with the results, if the reports are true.
What worries me is that the South African authorities appear to have ignored the very high testosterone levels and her deep voice. If they had undertaken these tests before allowing her to compete, the whole sorry saga could have been avoided
- Andrew W1, London, 11/09/2009 10:49
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