‘Sex test’ for runner not same as gender

[Butterfly]

'Sex test' for runner not same as gender
Daily Illini
by Chelsea Fiddyment
August 26th, 2009


http://www.dailyillini.com/blogs/different-perspectives/2009/08/26/%E2%80%98sex-test%E2%80%99-for-runner-not-same-as-gender


She left the competition in the dust during the 800 meter dash at the Athletics World Championships in Berlin last week. Her obvious skill, which made itself known at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games and the 2009 African Junior Championships, was awarded ... with an order for a comprehensive and degrading sex test.

Supporters of Caster Semenya are calling the actions of the International Association of Athletics Federations sexist, racist, and downright appalling.

Many aspects of the aftermath have frustrated me, Semenya's shameful treatment being far from least. But one thing in particular seems to be the source of my other aggravations: the massive public confusion surrounding the concept of gender.