It’s doubtful that she’s had a sex change. And even if the test finds abnormalities in her chromosomal and hormonal makeup, this should not disqualify her gender identity … or her performance.
[Gender-blending South African athlete pilloried at Worlds, TIJ, August 21, 2009]
This, in part, was my take on the controversy that erupted at the World Championships after Caster Semenya gave a Usain Bolt-like performance in the women’s 800m. But talk about abnormalities in her chromosomal and hormonal makeup:
The IAAF reported yesterday that results of a long-awaited gender test show that Semenya has both male and female organs. Most notably, that she has internal testes, the male sexual organs which produce testosterone and which, no doubt, accounted in large measure for her performances on the track.
At least she wasn’t taking steroids, like Marion Jones, eh?
Of course, even though seemingly ingenuous, I doubt Semenya was shocked by these results. Because she had to have known for some time that she was “different” from other girls….
Nevertheless, I’m sure she’s utterly devastated, and I fear these results will only compound the public humiliation she’s already suffered.
At any rate, I do not think the IAAF will strip her of her medals – as some are urging its members to do. After all, that would be plainly unfair (and far too politically incorrect and untenable); especially since the tests confirmed that:
Despite her having higher than average male hormone levels, they are within the official limits for a woman.
Instead, they will probably bar her from future competition until she has corrective surgery to “normalize” her gender – if she elects to do so. In any event, let’s hope she gets lots of psychological therapy.
Related commentaries:
Gender-blending South African athlete pilloried
Jones admits using steroids: Why Marion, why?
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