Semenya to sue IAAF and ASA in multi-million dollar lawsuits

[Shana A]

 Semenya to sue IAAF and ASA in multi-million dollar lawsuits

Saturday, 26 December 2009
By Duncan Mackay

http://insidethegames.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8567:semenya-to-sue-iaaf-and-asa-in-multi-million-dollar-lawsuits&catid=1:latest-news

December 26 - Caster Semenya (pictured), the world 800 metres champion, is set to launch multi-million dollar law suits against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Athletics South Africa (ASA) over the gender row which she claims has wrecked her life.

The South African teenager has retained Greg Nott, the lawyer from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP who acted for South African double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius on a pro bono basis in his successful effort to overturn the IAAF's decision to ban him from competing in able-bodied track events and attempting to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing last year.

Semenya plans to sue the IAAF for $120 million (£75 million) and ASA for $18 million (£11 million).

[Allamakee]

I am very glad that this lawyer, who apparently represents an important firm, is taking the case pro bono.  Presumably, if any money comes from the case it will go to Caster.

I'm not sure of the merits of the case.  But I think we need to consider it in the context of South Africa, which has an unfortunate history of race relations even worse than the US.  Individuals, in the past, were seemingly arbitrarily assigned  or re-assigned to belonging to a specific race, with all the benefits or restrictions that might bring.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/where-it-all-began-for-semenya-20091210-kmd1.html

The still active issues of black vs. white or  First World vs lesser developed countries play a role into why South Africans are so incensed by the the Caster Semenya controversy.

[Keroppi]

Go girl!

[Shana A]

Caster Semenya to sue IAAF and ASA for well over $100 million
December 28, 2:10 PM
Roman Mica

http://www.examiner.com/x-2490-Endurance-Sports-Examiner~y2009m12d28-Caster-Semenya-to-sue-IAAF-and-ASA-for-well-over-100-million

You don't have to be able to read the tea leaves to see this lawsuit coming from 800 meters away.

It seems that this summer's biggest running controversy is moving from the track to the courts.