As the result of Caster Semenya's gender test is coming forth, I had to wonder, "why didn't anyone take him (scientifically speaking) aside BEFORE he hit the world's stage?"
At every critical moment, people around Semenya chose to be oblivious to some clear red flags.
If you, with seeing eyes, saw Caster Semenya and had absolutely no doubt that Semenya had two ovaries, not two testes, and positively believed Semenya did not possess a "Y"-chromosome, instead believing Semenya to be an XX-chromosome bearing female, you were simply being disingenuous.
Cut out the political correctness.
Some news agencies are inaccurately reporting that Semenya is a hermaphrodite.
That's false. Semenya would need to have both testes and ovaries to be a hermaphrodite. Internal testes are not the same as ovaries. Semenya does not have ovaries, neither does Semenya have a uterus/womb or the upper two-thirds of a vagina. Semenya has never had a period and will never be able to become pregnant.
Some may object to why we're even dissecting what is an issue of a woman's right to her privacy. Really. This is the fault of Caster's parents and the society that enabled her and pushed her through the ranks of International Track & Field,
for all the world to see. You can't expect the adulation of a world medal on one hand and then demand your privacy regarding the one basic criteria that determines whether you'd be eligible for the acclaim and the corresponding purse (prize money, sponsorships, future speaking engagements).
In case there is any doubt, the IAAF should have in their charter specifically stipulating that only women can compete against other women in the "women's class" for sports. This isn't discrimination, sexism, racism or any other -ism at work. If you have testosterone-producing testicles, you likely gain an advantage in certain sports that require strength and speed. How is that even be up for debate.
Many are trying to complicate the issue over how Semenya must be devastated only just finding this out having gone his entire life believing he was a girl, and attempting to highlight the sociological issues regarding the "complexities" of gender. The ignorance defense. Not buying it. I've maintained all along that if you possess a Y-chromosome, you are not permitted to compete in women's events. It's better Semenya has arrived to the truth of the matter as it has probably saved Semenya's life. Internal testes can become malignant and uncovering the truth could save Semenya from cancer. In the interest of fairness, I would suggest the IAAF even conduct gender tests for all individuals interested in competing in women's sports on the world's stage from Maria Sharapova to Candace Parker to Kerri Walsh.
No one has a choice in the characteristics one possesses at birth, what gender, what variant of gender and our various conditions. You play the hand you're dealt. Human history has shown that regardless of what someone is born with, with whatever genetic advantage or disability, people have the limitless ability to achieve great things. Semenya not being able to compete in women's events does not diminish her worth as an individual. While certainly issues of non-standard gender should be dealt with a certain level of sensitivity, it's the lack of courage of those around Semenya that I blame for this even coming under public scrutiny.
Someone along the way failed to protect Caster Semenya.* Not everyone is meant to run women's track and field. Put me in that category also. Remember, the biggest charges leveled against Semenya came from female competitors. They were willing to say what those in Semenya's circle failed to uncover in private.
While it's unfortunate Caster will have difficulty living a "normal life," going from this point forward, I argue her life already changed the instant she took to the field in the 800-meter world championships. It was already too late by then. Now it's up to the rest of the world, knowing what we know, to support Semenya as Semenya pursues success in another venue.
*ETA (09/20/2009):
SOUTH AFRICA’S top track official has apologised for denying knowledge of gender tests done on athlete Caster Semenya, claiming he lied to protect the athlete’s privacy. Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene said that his constant denials of the tests, which he said he was aware of when they were done in early August, were an ‘error of judgment’. -
Times Online, UK source Wait, what is that you hear?
The screeching sound of back-tracking. Tests from South Africa's Sports governing body were conducted as early as August 7th, at which time if Semenya were forced to withdraw, there would be little or no mention of this and it would have quietly gone away. Instead Semenya was permitted to compete and
Semenya won the Women's 800-meter race at the World Championships on August 19th. A gender test was requested by the IAAF on August 20th. Now South Africa's Athletic President, Leonard Cheune, is trying to pass the buck onto the IAAF. Coward.
Looks like they're throwing South Africa's Athletic President under the bus. Good.
ABC Australia reporting.
CNN also reporting.
Telegraph UK with some of the best reporting:
Leonard Chuene, the president of Athletics South Africa, had been one of the runner's most vocal defenders, accusing her critics of racism and sexism as well as condemning foreign scientists as "stupid".
However, emails have shown not only that the ASA conducted tests last August, but the team's doctor, Harold Adams, advised Mr Chuene to have Miss Semenya withdrawn from the contest. This was ignored and she won the 800 metres, becoming the centre of a worldwide controversy.
Do you think we're stupid? Forever shut your face, Mr. Leonard Chuene. And to anyone who has ever seen pictures of Caster Semenya and betrayed your own seeing eyes, betrayed your own functioning mind and sided with those crying racism/sexism and every -ism under the sun,
Shh.
True