The Tricky Case of Caster Semenya: How Sports and Science Classify Sex

[Shana A]

The Tricky Case of Caster Semenya: How Sports and Science Classify Sex
Brooke Borel, Life's Little Mysteries Contributor
Date: 28 August 2011 Time: 12:58 AM ET

http://www.livescience.com/15810-caster-semenya-gender-sex-test.html

Two years ago, at the 2009 World Championships, South African runner Caster Semenya won the gold medal in the women's 800-meter race. Her celebration didn't last long, however.

[...]

This weekend, as Semenya defends her title at the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea, Life's Little Mysteries asks: How does the IAAF define sex, and does it line up with science?

The short answer: not even science clearly defines it.

[justmeinoz]

The Olympic movement dropped DNA testing in the 90's after a Spanish Women's Hurdle Champion was stripped of her medals and eventually had them reinstated.  I guess they figured she was less masculine than some of the East Germans from the 70's.
Karen.

[MistressStevie]

The Caster Semenya story continues.   The title of thread referring to it as tricky has not lessened in the interveneing several years.  For today in this case the definition of sex is using hormone levels.   

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/48102479 
"Caster Semenya has lost a landmark case against athletics' governing body meaning it will be allowed to restrict testosterone levels in female runners."