Caster Semenya - A scandal that rocks SA Sports

Hello,

The president of Athletics South Africa has admitted that he lied about gender tests on runner Caster Semenya before her gold-medal win at the World Athletics Championships last month.

Till recently the national sports body has always denied that it agreed to the tests before the race in Berlin, Germany -- an event that kicked off international controversy over the 18-year-old Semenya's gender.

Now South Africa's Mail & Guardian newspaper reported on exchange of e-mails showing that ASA President Leonard Chuene was aware of the tests.

It is reported that after receiving the results of the tests, the South Africa team doctor told that Semenya should be withdrawn from the World Championship.

Chuene had refused because he felt he was protecting the athlete.

"If we did not let her run, we would be confirming that she is not normal," Chuene told the news conference in the capital, Pretoria.

A controversy has since erupted and after Semenya won the 800 meters in one minute, 55.45 seconds -- the best women's time in the world this year and IAAF ordered tests on her and a decision in the case will come in late November.

There was hue and cry over the test with South Africans rallying behind Semenya. Her relatives and the South Africa team manager have maintained she is female. So much so that the SA minister for women, children and people with disabilities complained to the United Nations about non adherence to international protocols on gender and quality.

Compare it with the case of Santhi Soundarajan of India, whose Silver medal was taken away within two days of the test and you know that the world of athletics is biased against the less powerful sporting nations.

Best wishes,

Manoj