Caster wins 800m final despite sex storm
By Edward Marange
A South African teenager Caster Semenya who was forced to take a sex test won the 800m final at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Wednesday night.
The 18 year old has dominated headlines worldwide with doubts that a powerfully built physique and baritone voice suggested she was probably a man. Semenya however shook off the controversy to win the 800m final and become world champion.
Winning the race in 1 minute, 55.45 seconds she beat defending world champion Janeth Jepkosgei by a massive 2.45 seconds. Jennifer Meadows of Britain took bronze.
South African officials were furious at the timing of the sex tests claiming there was a ‘suspicious agenda’ to disrupt her from winning the title. International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) spokesman Nick Davies said they had requested the testing be done three weeks ago. Despite this they had not withdrawn her from the final he said.
The test was “extremely complex and difficult” and would involve several experts. “The situation today is that we do not have any conclusive evidence that she should not be allowed to run,” said Davies. “It would be wrong to take a decision to withdraw an athlete.”
It’s still unclear as to when the results of the test will be known or even what action will be taken. One South African in our forums said ‘She has a baritone, she has no visible breasts, her physique looks masculine, and last but not least she makes a lot of athletes from first world countries eat dust. I know something like this was gonna happen. If it’s not a drug test it’s a sex test.
