Caster Semenya, the athlete who became a reluctant hero

[Shana A]

Caster Semenya, the athlete who became a reluctant hero

She won the world 800m title in 2009 – and then all hell broke loose. The softly-spoken South African gives a rare interview

    Anna Kessel
    The Observer, Sunday 12 June 2011

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jun/12/caster-semenya-athletics

Who is Caster Semenya? In the two years since the South African won the 800m world title in Berlin, much has been written about her — Semenya the controversial athlete with an intersex condition, a curiosity. But who is the real Semenya? Who is the 20-year-old who became a world champion and then survived everything that followed?

[...]

She would speak to me after training, but, I am warned, any questions about her gender or 2009 and she will simply get up and walk away. That evening, as we sit down together, Harkonen gives us 20 minutes, checking his watch to time our start.

[Sephirah]

I somehow think there would have been far less of an issue made about it if she hadn't won.

[spacial]

I somehow think there would have been far less of an issue made about it if she hadn't won.

I somehow think that the whole matter was handled is a scandolous manner and those invoilved should be more than simply ashamed of themselves.

To expose this young woman to public examination and ridicule by openly and publically discussion, what are and should be, completely private medical details, was utterly outragious.

I seriously thing that, had Caster come from a wealthy, well connected family, quite a number of people would be even now, desperately scratching around to find the funds to pay damages which would have been awarded. The relevant governing body would be claiming victim status, having been declared bankrupt.

Though I personally have less than no interest in sport, this matter has left me fuming.