Perhaps, in fact, she has simply been blessed, given this extraordinary physiological gift at birth.
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Christopher Tollefsen, a University of California professor of philosophy, also told the OC Register that Semenya should compete in the Olympics even if she has higher levels of testosterone, she didn’t do anything against the rules to gain an advantage. Is there any comparison between Semenya’s inherent edge and, say, the height and long strides invested on Usain Bolt by the gene pool?
But some children born intersex (and who display it physically) have been forced to have invasive surgical and other procedures so their bodies conform to what society says is normal – often for no health benefits and with debilitating results. In the wake of that furor, the International Association of Athletics Federations introduced its rules on hyperandrogenism. Until a year ago, there was a threshold limit on testosterone for women athletes.
Semenya’s determination to keep competing has also provoked discussions about exactly whose rights are being trampled here: Semenya’s? But the abnormality had to be addressed.
In its defence, the IAAF’s threshold for testosterone levels in female athletes was set at 10 nanomoles a litre.
The court gave the IAAF two years to provide more scientific evidence connecting high testosterone levels and improved athletic performance.
Semenya is not known to have made any objection and presumably embarked on the corrective regimen. Her July personal best was posted seemingly effortlessly and it will be some spectacle if she goes flat out gun-to-tape, like David Rudisha did during the men’s 800m final in London.
Bishop is the world’s third fastest runner this year, and her top time is more than two seconds slower than Semenya’s best, which might as well be an eternity in a race like the 800. She remained a magnificent athlete, just not so outlandishly superior. “You can’t do anything unless you make the final”.
The case had been brought by Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, who failed to progress past the women’s 100m heats in Rio, ending seventh in her race.
SHE’S one of the most controversial athletes at the Olympic Games eliciting support and derision in equal measure. “There are no rules about hyperandrogenism at these Rio Games”.
Just before that final South African officials said Semenya had undergone “gender verification tests” by athletics governing body the IAAF both at home and during the championships to establish whether she was, in fact, a man. And her times have plunged again.
Caster Semenya of South Africa wins the women’s 800m heat 1. Her default position is generally to talk only about her running.
“I’m not focused on any world records, I am focused on enjoying my championship and it’s going to be a tough 800. So that’s the target, we’re not going to worry about times at the moment”.
The controversy stems from her very being.
“We’ll see how the regulations will change”, said Fedronic.
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But if she does win gold, it may be a bitter sweet victory for Semenya, whose career has been dogged by questions about her gender.
