Pattaya Daily News

Published : April 03, 2010 :: 14:04:39 [ 2,140 views ]

South Africa’s 19-year-old runner, Caster Semenya has officially announced her return to competition following the failure of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) in clarifying the controversial gender issues currently surrounding her career.

South Africa, the 3^rd of April 2010 [PDN]: Caster Semenya, the exiled athletics phenomenon, has not raced in any professional competition since last summer’s World Championship in Berlin following the public dispute over her gender. The 19-year-old now plans to resume her running career following the IAAF’s failure to clarify her position within the sport.

In a statement made to the press, Semenya explained her frustration at the IAAF and the fact that she had now lost patience with them; “I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions.” Although there were no sanctions placed on Semenya in any official capacity, there is believed to have been a mutual understanding between the athlete and the IAAF to refrain from competition until results had been attained from tests that would ascertain her gender.

Both Semenya and her family have insisted throughout the highly embarrassing and public ordeal, that she is a normal female, however; gender test – leaked to the Australian press – have revealed that she is in fact a hermaphrodite. The leaked findings showed that Semenya possesses internal male testicles and does not posses any female ovaries. “These tests do not suggest any suspicion of deliberate misconduct but seek to assess the possibility of a potential medical condition which would give Semenya an unfair advantage over her competitors,” an Australian publication has quoted IAAF spokesman Nick Davies as saying.

Semenya, following the leak of the report in September of last year and clearly frustrated by the IAAF’s lack of action in her case and the continued public scrutiny, announced her opinions on the matter by stating; “Some of the occurrences leading up to and immediately following the Berlin World Championships have infringed on not only my rights as an athlete, but also my fundamental and human rights including my rights to dignity and privacy.”

Accordingly both Semenya and her team of lawyers have revealed that they are still willing to work with the IAAF in finding a solution but have recently been ignored in their repeated attempts to contact the governing body in relation to Semenya’s eligibility recommence her running career. In conclusion, Semenya revealed the unilateral decision; “My coach, agent and I will work closely together to identify and prepare for a limited number of athletics meetings over the course of the coming athletics season,” she said.

Related items

• Jamaican Bolt Sprints his Way to Financial Gains with Puma
• Male Enhancement Drug Controversy Hits American Athlete
• Nigerian Arrested For Stashing Drugs In Anus
• Italian Man Jailed For In-flight Sexual Assault
• PTT Pattaya Open Celebrates 20 Year on the WTA Tour

Advertise

 Print This News




Type : Sports News
Story : Harry Roberts
Photo : Internet

Extensive Gallery [ 3 photos ]

• 
• 
•