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South African Runner Caster Semenya Cleared To Return To Competition

07/06/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
South African runner Caster Semenya can return to competition effective immediately, the International Amateur Athletics Federation has ruled. This is, of course, good since Ms Semenya has already returned to competing. The IAAF has concurred with the findings of a medical panel regarding gender testing that Ms Semenya was forced to undergo when questions about her genetic and physical sex were made last year after she set a world record in the 800m.

According to the IAAF statement: “The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts that she can compete with immediate effect. Please note that the medical details of the case remain confidential.” Of course, it would have been helpful if the IAAF had managed to keep the testing confidential while it was going on as there were numerous leaks regarding the testing and the public nature of this spectacle was damaging to Ms Semenya’s mental health.

In the past, there has been controversy regarding gender testing, especially during the height of the Cold War when several female athletes from Soviet Block nations were suspected of being male when it would later prove that they had been taking steroids. For the most part, genetic and physical abnormalities have little to no bearing on athletic performance, and the International Olympic Committee has even stated that transsexual athletes can perform two years after their sex reassignment surgery has been completed.