Friday, July 16, 2010

First Race for Semenya Following Gender Tests

Caster Semenya won her first race since being cleared to return to competition after undergoing gender tests, winning the woman's 800 meters on Thursday at the Lappeenranta Games.

"It's a new beginning," she said.

The South African middle-distance runner and world champion won gold in the women's 800 metres at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. Following her victory, questions were raised about Semenya's gender. Her dramatic improvement in times and muscular appearance led the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to order gender tests.

She was examined by a group of doctors, including an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist.

She was withdrawn from international competition until July 6, 2010 when the IAAF cleared her to return to competition.

The results of the gender tests will not be released for privacy reasons.


No comments: