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→2009 World Championships and controversy: Add comment re. Dewey & LeBoeuf legal team + two reliable sources
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On 7 September 2009, Wilfred Daniels, Semenya's coach with Athletics South Africa, resigned because "we did not advise Ms Semenya properly". He apologised for personally having failed to protect her.<ref> {{citeweb|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8242060.stm| title=S Africa gender row coach resigns]]|date=7 September 2009|accessdate=27 September 2009}}</ref> Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene admitted on 19 September 2009 to having subjected Semenya to gender tests. He had previously lied to Semenya about the purpose of the tests and to others about having performed the tests. He ignored a request from ASA team doctor Harold Adams to withdraw Semenya from the world championships over concerns about the need to keep her medical records confidental.<ref> {{citeweb|author=Serena Chaudhry| url= http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE58I0N320090919| title=South Africa athletics chief admits lying about Semenya tests|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=19 September 2009|accessdate=27 September 2009}}</ref>
On 7 September 2009, Wilfred Daniels, Semenya's coach with Athletics South Africa, resigned because "we did not advise Ms Semenya properly". He apologised for personally having failed to protect her.<ref> {{citeweb|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8242060.stm| title=S Africa gender row coach resigns]]|date=7 September 2009|accessdate=27 September 2009}}</ref> Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene admitted on 19 September 2009 to having subjected Semenya to gender tests. He had previously lied to Semenya about the purpose of the tests and to others about having performed the tests. He ignored a request from ASA team doctor Harold Adams to withdraw Semenya from the world championships over concerns about the need to keep her medical records confidental.<ref> {{citeweb|author=Serena Chaudhry| url= http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE58I0N320090919| title=South Africa athletics chief admits lying about Semenya tests|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=19 September 2009|accessdate=27 September 2009}}</ref>

On the recommendation of South Africa's Minister for Sport and Recreation, [[Makhenkesi Stofile]], Ms. Semenya has retained the legal firm [[Dewey & LeBoeuf]] who are acting [[Pro bono publico|pro bono]] in her interests.<ref name="legalweek">[http://www.legalweek.com/legal-week/news/1534157/dewey-takes-semenya-iaaf-dispute Dewey takes up Semenya case in IAAF dispute] - Legalweek Magazine</ref><ref>[http://timesonline.typepad.com/law/2009/09/dewey-leboeuf-to-advise-caster-semenya.html Dewey & LeBoeuf to advise Caster Semenya] - [[Times Online]]</ref> They stated; ''"The plight of Semenya is a great matter of concern; not just to South Africans, but to fair-minded people around the world. We are going to do everything possible to make certain that her civil and legal rights and dignity as a person are fully protected."''


<!--Please DO NOT add speculation even alleged leaks about her condition without discussing it on the talk page first, even if it is sourced-->
<!--Please DO NOT add speculation even alleged leaks about her condition without discussing it on the talk page first, even if it is sourced-->

Revision as of 09:41, 28 September 2009

Caster Semenya

Medal record
Women's Athletics
Representing  South Africa
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Berlin 800 m

Mokgadi Caster Semenya (born 7 January 1991) is a South African middle-distance runner and world champion.[1][2] 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.[2][3][4][5]

Early life and education

Semenya was born in Ga-Masehlong, a village in South Africa near Polokwane and grew up in the village of Fairlie, "deep in South Africa's northern Limpopo province."[1][6] She has three sisters and a brother and the family are members of the Zion Christian Church.[6] As a child, she is said to have been a tomboy, enjoying sports typically considered to be the domain of boys, and never wore dresses.[6][7] She was disqualified from football for being too rough with other girls when she was fourteen and months later developed a renewed interest in running and soon began to compete.[6]

Semenya attended Nthema Secondary School and now attends Pretoria University as a first-year sports science student.[2][8] Semenya began running to train for association football.[9]

Career

Early career

In July 2008 Semenya participated in the 2008 World Junior Championships, and won the gold in the 800 m at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games with a time of 2:04.23.[10]

2009 African Junior Championships

In the 2009 African Junior Championships Semenya won both the 800 m and 1500 m races with the times of 1:56.72 and 4:08.01 respectively.[11][12] With that race she improved her 800 m personal best by seven seconds in less than nine months, including four seconds in that race alone.[2][3] The 800 m time was the world leading time in 2009 at that date.[3] It was also a national record, championship record, and a personal best by almost four seconds. Semenya simultaneously beat the Senior and Junior South African records held by Zelda Pretorius at 1:58.85, and Zola Budd at 2:00.90, respectively.[13]

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) says it was "obliged to investigate" after she made improvements of 25 seconds at 1500m and eight seconds at 800m – "the sort of dramatic breakthroughs that usually arouse suspicion of drug use."[14] The IAAF also asked Semenya to undergo a gender test after the win.[15][note 1] News that the IAAF requested the test broke three hours before the 2009 World Championships 800 m final.[3] IAAF president Lamine Diack stated, "There was a leak of confidentiality at some point and this led to some insensitive reactions."[16]

2009 World Championships and controversy

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.[17] Following her victory, questions were raised about her gender.[2][3][18][19] Semenya stated she was unconcerned about the rumours or the verification and that she considered boycotting the medal ceremony as a result.[2][15][20]

The IAAF's handling of the case has spurred many negative reactions. A number of athletes, including retired sprinter Michael Johnson, criticised the organization for its response to the incident.[15][21] Prominent South African civic leaders, commentators, politicians, and activists have characterized the controversy as racist, as well as an affront to Semenya's privacy and human rights.[22][23] The IAAF said it only made the test public after it had already been reported in the media, denying charges of racism and expressing regret of "the allegations being made about the reasons for which these tests are being conducted."[14][24] The federation also explained that the motivation for the test was not suspected cheating but a desire to determine if she has a "rare medical condition" giving her an unfair competitive advantage.[25] The president of the IAAF stated that the case could have been handled with more sensitivity.[26] In an interview with South African magazine YOU Semenya stated, "God made me the way I am and I accept myself." She also took part in a makeover with the magazine.[27]

On 7 September 2009, Wilfred Daniels, Semenya's coach with Athletics South Africa, resigned because "we did not advise Ms Semenya properly". He apologised for personally having failed to protect her.[28] Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene admitted on 19 September 2009 to having subjected Semenya to gender tests. He had previously lied to Semenya about the purpose of the tests and to others about having performed the tests. He ignored a request from ASA team doctor Harold Adams to withdraw Semenya from the world championships over concerns about the need to keep her medical records confidental.[29]

On the recommendation of South Africa's Minister for Sport and Recreation, Makhenkesi Stofile, Ms. Semenya has retained the legal firm Dewey & LeBoeuf who are acting pro bono in her interests.[30][31] They stated; "The plight of Semenya is a great matter of concern; not just to South Africans, but to fair-minded people around the world. We are going to do everything possible to make certain that her civil and legal rights and dignity as a person are fully protected."


Notes

  1. ^ The IAAF ceased compulsory tests in 1992 but retains the right to test athletes. (Scant support for sex test on champion athlete New Scientist.) Gender verification was dropped from Olympic sports in 1999 as the issue was delicate and scientifically complicated. The verification involves "an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist" and takes several weeks. This is not the first time the IAAF has asked for gender verification although, generally the athletes maintain their privacy. ("Caster Semenya faces sex test before she can claim victory" The Times 19 August 2009.)

References

  1. ^ a b "Birth certificate backs SA gender". BBC News. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Caster Semenya faces sex test before she can claim victory". The Times. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e Tom Fordyce (19 August 2009). "Semenya left stranded by storm". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  4. ^ Women's world champion Semenya faces gender test CNN, 20 August 2009
  5. ^ "Semenya told to take gender test". BBC Sport. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d "'She wouldn't wear dresses and sounds like a man on the phone': Caster Semenya's father on his sex-riddle daughter". Daily Mail. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Abrahamson, Alan (20 August 2009). "Caster Semenya's present and future". Universal Sports. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  8. ^ SAfrican in gender flap gets gold for 800 win 22 August 2009, By RYAN LUCAS, Associated Press Writer
  9. ^ Prince, Chandre (29 August 2009). "Hero Caster's road to gold". The Times. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  10. ^ "Young SA team strikes gold". Independent Online. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  11. ^ Ouma, Mark (2 August 2009). "Nigerian Ogoegbunam completes a hat trick at Africa Junior Championships". AfricanAthletics.org. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  12. ^ Ouma, Mark (31 July 2009). "South African teen Semenya stuns with 1:56.72 800m World lead in Bambous — African junior champs, Day 2". IAAF. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  13. ^ IAAF, 31 July 2009: South African teen Semenya stuns with 1:56.72 800m World lead in Bambous - African junior champs, Day 2
  14. ^ a b Caster Semenya row: 'Who are white people to question the makeup of an African girl? It is racism': The decision to subject the gold medal-winning athlete Caster Semenya to sex tests over claims Caster is a man has provoked outrage in her village and throughout South Africa David Smith, The Observer, 23 August 2009
  15. ^ a b c "Semenya dismissive of gender row". BBC Sport. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  16. ^ Hart, Simon (24 August 2009). "World Athletics: Caster Semenya tests 'show high testosterone levels'". The Times. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  17. ^ "800 Metres Women Final Results" (PDF). 19 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  18. ^ Women's world champion Semenya faces gender test CNN, 20 August 2009
  19. ^ "Semenya told to take gender test". BBC Sport. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  20. ^ "Semenya 'almost boycotted medal'". BBC News. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  21. ^ "South African unite behind gender row athlete". BBC News. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  22. ^ Dixon, Robyn (26 August 2009). "Caster Semenya, South African runner subjected to gender test, gets tumultuous welcome home". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Gender row over Caster Semenya makes athlete into a South African cause celebre". The Daily Telegraph. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ SA to take up Semenya case with UN The Times SA, 21 August 2009
  25. ^ "SA fury over athlete gender test". BBC Sport. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  26. ^ "New twist in Semenya gender saga". BBC. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  27. ^ "Makeover for SA gender-row runner". BBC. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  28. ^ "S Africa gender row coach resigns]]". 7 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  29. ^ Serena Chaudhry (19 September 2009). "South Africa athletics chief admits lying about Semenya tests". Reuters. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  30. ^ Dewey takes up Semenya case in IAAF dispute - Legalweek Magazine
  31. ^ Dewey & LeBoeuf to advise Caster Semenya - Times Online
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