'Oh Dear' - Semenya

**tec0** · 11-Sep-09, 10:59 AM

This is sad in a way, however I do feel that the sensitivity of the subject could have been handled better. Still if she is physically stronger then a normal woman then there is no real competition in the end. But I wonder why now... fact is they could have done “the test” a long time ago and all of this “including the indignity” could have been avoided. I hope the system learns a valuable lesson here.

**Dave A** · 11-Sep-09, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by Alan

Looks like some poeple might end up with egg on their face.

A lot of people, frankly. From journalists, to politicians, Athletics South Africa, perhaps even the IAAF if this is true:

"Well of course Caster is a totally innocent victim in this whole affair,'' the source explained. "What could she do about it? And the IAAF accepted her entry. So the two parties at fault are the IAAF and especially Athletics SA. The South Africans have got a massive responsibility, but no one seems to be attacking them.

"Basically they (ASA) have known for months, for years, that she's not normal. They could have set in process these kind of tests if they had been more responsible.''

I'd guess whether Caster keeps her medal depends on the rule book. The finding, after all, is quite a gender bender. And rules are rules. If they're not clearly defined enough to declare her not a woman, tough - she keeps the medal. If they are clear enough, tough - she loses it.

But the hysterical response around the whole issue is the real embarrassment to my mind.

**Dave A** · 19-Sep-09, 05:28 PM

So ASA definitely knew before going to Berlin:

Athletics South Africa (ASA) president Leonard Chuene admitted on Saturday that he refused to accept advice from ASA team doctor Harold Adams to withdraw Caster Semenya from the world athletics championships in Berlin last month.

Chuene also admitted that he had lied to the South African public about not having any knowledge of gender tests conducted on Semenya in Pretoria last month.

He added that ASA's deception on the matter was intended to protect Semenya's confidentiality.

"I now realise that it was an error of judgement and I would like to apologise unconditionally. As president of ASA I will not, however, apologise for allowing caster Semenya to run or for protecting her privacy.

"We fully agree that we could have handled this matter differently but something like this has never happened in this country before and we at ASA believe we acted in the best interests of the athlete," he said.
full story from M&G here

**tec0** · 19-Sep-09, 05:56 PM

Well two wrongs don’t make a right. And I don’t belief it for a second. Their behaviour before the tests is telling a different story.

**wynn** · 21-Sep-09, 01:23 PM

It is not wrong to cheat!
It is wrong to get caught cheating!

If you are caught cheating you are innocent until proven guilty, in the mean time play the 'Race Card' get as many politicians as possible to obfuscate the problem by shouting to drown the questions, maybe the problem will go away.

When you are about to get proven guilty, apologise, after all this is Africa where it is better to apologise after rather than ask for permission before, apeal to the other persons 'Ubuntu'

At no time offer to resign for causing a scandal, then, to ease your concience play the 'Race Card' one more time.

**Debbiedle** · 21-Sep-09, 08:33 PM

I think that they are ruining a young persons life...they should be ashamed. No politics, no amount of gold, no jostling for power, nothing should take precedence over this 18 year old kids right to privacy and respect. I am appalled by all of this.

**Marq** · 25-Sep-09, 05:30 PM

Now a still employed Mr Chuene enjoys his position as a result of all his 'long and dedicated service'.

Despite rumours of being in serious financial condition, lack of sponsorship (well Nedbank pulled out didn't they when the S&%t hit the fan - they pull out through lack of interest

), expense mismanagement and no audited financial statements he bats on regardless but not rewardless. His monthly salary and trips around the world at the expense of this 'non-profit' organisation in deep financial trouble are being questioned now.

I didn't see a stat that should by now have its own line in the latest criminal statistics:-

Murder...........................increase
Robbery..........................bigger increase
Mayhem..........................upcoming increase
White colllar crime.............unknown increase
Blue collar crime................other unknown increase
Political and related crimes...biggest increase just not reportable at the present time

**Dave A** · 21-Oct-09, 12:02 PM

Dr Simon Dlamini, chairman of the board's finance committee, said the "whole issue is (because) the girl broke the record (of) Zola Budd".

"There are people out there who are walking along a racial path; we unify the community and they break it apart."
right at the end of this article on IOL

Say what!? What the heck does Zola Budd have to do with this?

**Alan** · 21-Oct-09, 02:01 PM

WTF!!!!
No wonder this country cant move forward.

**wynn** · 21-Oct-09, 03:19 PM

I was at my local sportsbar for lunch and instead of my usual 'Schalk Burger' I ordered 'Pasta Simenya' it is a plate of spaghetti with two large meat balls!!

**twinscythe12332** · 27-Oct-09, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by Dave A

Say what!? What the heck does Zola Budd have to do with this?

I think this is possibly the first article I've seen that hasn't had a comeback to the views expressed in the comments. they're all very focused and one way.

**tec0** · 27-Oct-09, 12:20 PM

To put things in perspective, if the right course of action was taken from the word go then this scandal could have been avoided. Fact is that gender testing is a sensitive subject and yes in the past there where similar cases. However we don’t live in the past we live in the now. And in the “now” we have DNA testing specialist opinions and a proper understanding in identifying gender.

None of this should have happened in the first place. Simply because the technology exists to prevent it... That is case and point...

THE END....

**I Robot** · 19-Nov-09, 07:00 PM

Sport and Recreation on Caster Semenya's lawyer's agreement

Statement on Ms Semenya

19 November 2009

Since the media statement hit the public on Caster Semenya in August 2009, our department has been in constant engagement with all stakeholders. The main thrust of our engagement was always to try and get the truth from all role players. This was not easy given the sensitivity of the issues as well as the distance between us and the sport bodies.

The International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF) is in Europe; Athletics South Africa (ASA) is in South Africa but was harder to get the facts from. Perhaps South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) did better in getting closer to the truth because they started the quest for the truth later than all of us. We are pleased to report that government and Caster’s lawyers have reached total agreement with the IAAF on the following issues:
Because Caster has been found to be innocent of any wrong, she will then:
* Retain her gold medal
* Retain her title of 800m World Champions
* Retain her prize money. We have also agreed with the IAAF that whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor. As such there will be no public announcement of what the panel of scientists has found.

We urge all South Africans and other people to respect this professional ethical and moral way of doing things. The implications of the scientific findings on Caster’s health and life going forward will be analysed by Caster and she will make her own decision on her future. Whatever she decides, ours is to respect her decision. We have asked the IAAF to apologise at the way the whole Caster Semenya saga was dealt with. Their response is, “It is deeply regrettable that information of a confidential nature entered the public domain.” The IAAF is adamant that the public discourse did not originate with them.

We also cannot prove the contrary. It is our considered view that this chapter of blame apportioning must now be closed. The sport bodies must be allowed to deal with the rest of the investigations in terms of their own regulations.

The next step will see scientists of the world (including South African specialists) deal with the relevant branches of science. This we hope, will assist sport institutions regulate gender and fairness issues in competitions.

Our department want to thank the law firm (Dewey and LeBoeuf (Pty) Ltd) who stepped forward pro bono when the need to protect the rights and dignity of our golden girl arose. May many professionals emulate this step. We also wish to say words of appreciation to South Africans (old and young, black or white) who showed solidarity and support for our daughter. This was ubuntu in action. Like every cloud, Caster’s experience will have a silver lining for our athletes, for female athletes and for Competitive sport. Let us all strive towards that.

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'Oh Dear' - Semenya

'Oh Dear' - Semenya

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