Semenya Is Back, but Acceptance Lags

[Shana A]

Semenya Is Back, but Acceptance Lags
By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY
Published: August 23, 2010

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/sports/24iht-ARENA.html?_r=1

BERLIN - It was a potentially awkward moment. I had just spent part of a Sunday afternoon listening to the 800-meter runners Jemma Simpson and Diane Cummins examine and question the fairness of being forced to race against Caster Semenya.

The South African runner Caster Semenya, who was only cleared to compete in July, says she maintains only positive thoughts.

Now, I was in the indoor training area at Olympic Stadium, sitting across a table from Semenya, her coach, Michael Seme, and her agent, Jukka Harkonen.

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Semenya's coach hits out as rival rails 'we are running against a man'

By Barry Roberts
Tuesday, 24 August 2010

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/semenyas-coach-hits-out-as-rival-rails-we-are-running-against-a-man-2060160.html

Caster Semenya "doesn't care" about the criticism aimed at her since she returned to athletics, according to her coach. The Canadian athlete Diane Cummins said on Sunday that running against Semenya was like "literally running against a man", but Michael Seme said the South African is unmoved.

Seme, speaking yesterday, added that those who complain should stay at home but his comments are unlikely to end the disquiet among a number of Semenya's rivals. "Unfortunately for Caster, she's grown up in an environment that is complicated not just for her but for human science," Cummins said. "Basically, is she man, is she lady? What constitutes male, what constitutes female?

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Semenya's sex test nightmare continues
The South African runner was cleared for competition last month, but that hasn't settled the debate over her gender
By Tracy Clark-Flory

http://www.salon.com/life/broadsheet/2010/08/23/semenya/index.html

After 11-months of international scrutiny, Caster Semenya was officially cleared last month to compete as a woman -- but it seems the South African runner's metaphorical marathon is far from over. You didn't think the debate over her sex would be settled once the I.A.A.F. issued its ruling, did you? (Yes? Aw, your naive optimism is cute. No? Wise cynic, teach me your ways.) The New York Times reports today on Semenya's Sunday win in the women's 800 meters and quotes a couple competitors who haven't exactly been put at ease by the I.A.A.F.'s verdict.

Britain's Jemma Simpson acknowledged that "it's obviously a human rights issue," but quickly added that "human rights affect everyone in the race, not just one person."