Thursday, April 8, 2010

Caster Semenya – IAAF cannot determine sex

African runner Caster Semenya captured the Women's 880m world record at the Berlin World Championships in August 2009. Once the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) raised the issue of whether Caster Semenya was a woman or a man and initial findings suggested that Caster may be a hermaphrodite, she was forbidden from competition until gender verification tests could produce a sound conclusion. It's been nearly eight months and nevertheless no results, and Caster Semenya is still waiting to get back on the track. cash advances in South Africa may not be an option. How else then will she make a living?

Caster Semenya has no doubt she's a woman

A month after the IAAF snafu, Caster Semenya posed for a glamorous cover story in YOU magazine. Although the IAAF governing body is still not convinced, Caster is perfectly comfortable with her womanhood. Semenya says that their investigation has harmed her career and infringed upon her rights, according to The UK’s Guardian newspaper. “Since my victory in the female 800m event at the Berlin world championships in August last year, I are subjected to unwarranted and invasive scrutiny of probably the most intimate and private details of my being,” said Semenya.

Although she hasn't been banned or suspended, Caster Semenya can't compete

What's even more comical about this whole IAAF operation is that Caster Semenya has not even officially banned or suspended from competition. Seems like as if she was cooperative to a fault when she agreed not to compete until the IAAF could clear up the confusion. Now she’s ready to fight. The wait has been excessive, and Caster Semenya and her advisers can find no reason that she should not be able to resume racing. Caster has already been given her gold medal and prize cash for her 800m victory. From The Guardian, here is Caster Semenya's full comeback statement.

Caster is asked to 'hold on' by the Athletics South Africa

Athletics South Africa (ASA) Chairman Ray Mali has asked Caster Semenya and her advisers to remain patient. Even though the IAAF has reportedly already missed several self-imposed deadlines (in part because of a change in leadership over the mishandling of the Caster Semenya issue), ASA says that since the IAAF has promised a “speedy” process, Caster Semenya should wait for the results.

In the meantime, Caster Semenya is not permitted to go out and pursue her career of choice while the IAAF keep on their merry-go-round? It would be too much to expect a turnaround as quick as very same day payday loans, but this is getting outrageous. To expose just how incompetent world athletic associations have become these days, it's going to take a sacrifice of a budding sports career like what Caster Semenya would definitely enjoy.



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