Standing Watch

Caster Semenya

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has ruled that the winner of last September’s Womens 800 Meter Race, Caster Semenya, will retain her Gold medal awarded, as well as the prize money, having found that she committed no wrongdoing when she competed in the race.  The IAAF has also ruled that they will not release or discuss the results of Semenya’s mandated gender test results, but will treat them as confidential patient-doctor information.

The notoriety and sensationalism sprang from Semenya’s less than Eurocentric idealistic feminine features, combined with a personal best record, as well as world record for this year, finish in the race.  Complaints from European competitors resulted in the IAAF being forced to order gender-testing of Semenya.  Subsequent media speculation and exploitation added to the athlete’s woes, even including a glamor makeover, which was published in Western media.  Subsequent published rumors led to Semenya pulling out of a planned athletic event and eventually going into seclusion.

The final blow to the young woman came when Australian media, followed almost immediately by British and US media, published allegedly leaked reports that Semenya was actually intersexed.  Semenya became severely depressed, and was eventually placed on suicide watch.  Then, revelations came about that suggested that members of Athletics South African knew of Semenya’s unusual physical condition, resulting in the firing of the president and board of that association.

It is still unknown if Semenya will ever be allowed to compete in women’s athletics again.  The IAAF has stated they will make no comment or public statement on the matter “until further notice.”  However, the IAAF did say that not all gender testing was complete as of yet.  In response to alleged leaks of Semenya’s medical information to the media, the IAAF stated that ‘It is deeply regrettable that information of a confidential nature entered the public domain,’ thereby confirming the leaks through a backhanded way of commenting.  The IAAF is adamant that the public leaks to the media did not originate with them.  There appears, however, to be no other way such specific medical details could have come from any other source.

Semenya continues to attend university, although she has become far more reclusive than is normal for her.  She also continues to be plagued by journalists, particular those working undercover or under false pretenses,  in order to get access to her for unauthorized “interviews” used for later publication or broadcast.  Semenya remains firm in her decision to not discuss anything ever with any media outlet.

Who can blame her.