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Caster Semenya – Victim of the Media or a Gender Cheat?
The World Athletics Championship in Berlin has seen a lot of excitement, with Usain Bolt taking center stage as usual, plus excellent performances from Jessica Ennis, Allyson Felix and Lisa Dobriskey. However, to proceedings have been spoiled slightly by the accusation that 18 year old South African runner, Caster Semenya, may be a man.
It seems that the accusation is not based on any evidence, only that she won her race by a large margin, and is very muscular. The suggestion seems to be that a woman could not possible perform this well (she did not actually break any records) so she must be cheating, or be a man.
Some sources have suggested that there could be a racist element in making these accusations. This is uncertain, but it certainly stinks of being sexist.
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The reason given for this accusation is that she is very muscular. However, she is by no means the most muscular woman in Berlin at the moment.
Molatelo Malehopo of Athletics South Africa, has made the following statement:
“She is a female. We are completely sure about that and we wouldn’t have entered her into the female competition if we had any doubts. We have not been absent-minded, we are very sure of her gender. We are aware of the claims that have been made but our aim at the moment is to prepare Caster for the race this evening.”
The truth will be known soon. Her mother has stated on television that she is most definitely her beloved daughter. Let’s hope that she is not proved to be a fraud, and that her career is not jeopardized by these accusations.
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One Response to “Caster Semenya – Victim of the Media or a Gender Cheat?”
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She is very young to be exposed to all these unpleasant criticisms after a victory.As she is flat chested and big it does not make her a man.She may have some underlying endocrinal condition leading to her appearance for which she is not responsible. I am sure she would have been unnoticed if she had not won .There is some flavour of racism and sexism in this whole saga.