Semenya: Is She A She

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Sport/5452134-183/Semenya:_Is_She_A_She.csp
Chukwuma Nwoko
9/2/09

The persecution complex that has enveloped South Africa over the gender controversy involving the country's teenage 800 metres world champion, Mokgadi 'Caster' Semenye, is unfortunate. The country has literally deployed all–from her grandmother, father, mother, teachers and playmates (save her boyfriend/s {perhaps she has none}-to prove that she is a female.

But what is at stake goes beyond conventional wisdom. It is science that beckons. And given that sports authorities try to level the playing field, efforts to ascertain her gender should be welcome. In ordering a gender test for Semenya, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is right but it has not handled the matter with the sensitivity it deserves. But the IAAF's indiscreetness has nothing to do with racism or sexism or jealousy, as South African activist groups and Semenya's family have alleged.