SEMENYA SHOWS UP IN STELLENBOSCH BUT CANNOT COMPETE
By Riël Hauman
(c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
Drama erupted before the fifth meeting in the Yellow Pages Series in
Stellenbosch last night (Tuesday) when world 800-metre champion Caster
Semenya turned up at the track in Coetzenburg Stadium, accompanied by
her legal representative and coach, and demanded to be allowed to run.
Semenya, who won the world title in Berlin in controversial
circumstances, is currently under investigation by the IAAF because of
doubts about her gender.
Although Semenya is not under suspension and is technically free to
compete, Athletics South Africa (ASA) has been requested by the IAAF
that she should not take part in any races while the world body is
conducting its investigation. The athlete had previously agreed to this.
However, in a statement released by her yesterday (the day of the
Stellenbosch meeting), she said she would return to competition this
season. She said she had done nothing wrong and should be allowed to
race.
“I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions,”
Semenya said. I am of the firm view that there is no impediment to me
competing in athletics competitions. I will however continue to assist
the IAAF with whatsoever they may require for their own processes and
in this regard I have instructed my legal and medical team to work
closely with, and continue negotiation with them for these purposes.”
She added: “I have been subjected to unwarranted and invasive scrutiny
of the most intimate and private details of my being. I had committed
no wrongdoing, I begrudgingly committed to assist the IAAF in
concluding its processes which I did not agree with.”
The IAAF is still reviewing the results of tests done on Semenya to
determine her eligibility. It has refused to confirm or deny Australian
media reports that the tests indicate Semenya has both male and female
sexual organs.
Semenya said in her statement that her legal advisers had tried to
contact the IAAF three times, but didn't get any response about when
she can return to competition. “The result is that my athletic
capabilities and earning potential are being severely compromised,” she
said.
She added that she and her advisers “will work closely together to
identify and prepare for a limited number of athletics meetings over
the course of the coming athletics season.”
At the Stellenbosch meeting a representative of ASA pointed out to the
athlete and her lawyer that she would not be allowed to run because of
the IAAF investigation. The athlete and her lawyer “agreed, for now”.
Asked about Caster’s eligibility to compete, Ray Mali, acting
administrator of ASA, said: “The IAAF have given the assurance of
completing the medical process speedily and have requested that ASA
abide by the world body's decision not to allow Semenya to participate
in track and field events until the process has run its course.”
In the meet itself, Semenya’s co-world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi won
the 1500m in 3:47.02, and René Kalmer prevailed in the same distance on
the women's side in 4:17.58
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