Mokgadi Caster Semenya (born 7 January 1991) is a South African middle-distance runner and world champion. Semenya won gold in the 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final.

Following her victory at the 2009 World Championships, questions about Semenya’s gender were raised.

In August Semenya won gold in the 800 meters at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 1:55.45 in the final, again setting the fastest time of the year. Following her victory, questions were raised about her gender. Semenya stated she was unconcerned about the rumours or the verification and that she considered boycotting the medal ceremony as a result.

Dramatic update to the case of South African middle distance runner Caster Semenya. The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee has suspended Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene, the entire board and other ASA employees “for their handling of the Caster Semenya gender fiasco”, reports Independent Online. SASOC suspended ASA after the athletics body challenged its authority to suspend Chuene.

The 18-year-old University of Pretoria athlete has been the subject of a gender controversy since winning the 800m race in record time at the IAAF games. The results of complex gender tests were leaked last week that reveal she is intersexed with internal testes and no uterus or ovaries. Chuene previously denied gender verification tests were begun on Semenya before Berlin. IAAF sources say ASA was “well aware” of Caster Semenya’s medical condition and did not tell her.

By Rod McCullom (rodonline.typepad.com)
Photos from buzzdemon.com

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