Other Sport
Paper denies tricking Semenya
2009-11-15 07:48
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London - Caster Semenya's lawyers claim she was tricked into speaking to a reporter for The Guardian for an article that was published Saturday in the British newspaper.
The 18-year-old South African runner, who won the 800-metre world championship title in August but had her accomplishment overshadowed by gender test revelations, was quoted throughout the story, which was accompanied by several recent photographs.
Greg Nott, the managing partner for Dewey & LeBoeuf, issued a statement saying the quotes were obtained "under false pretences and in a wrongful and unlawful manner."
The Guardian rejected the claim, saying its reporter Don McRae was invited to speak to Semenya by her coach, Michael Seme.
"(Seme) was fully aware that he was writing a feature for the Guardian and suggested that he talk to Ms Semenya," the newspaper said in a statement.
Semenya 'did agree'
Nott, however, said Semenya had never agreed to be interviewed.
"Our client has instructed us to convey that she continues to refuse to grant any interviews to any persons," Nott said in his statement. "We are instructed by our client that any quotes or information in Mr McRae's article which are alleged to have been obtained from or attributed to our client have been so obtained under false pretences and in a wrongful and unlawful manner.
"This is regrettable. This has been conveyed to The Guardian. Our client is considering the legal options available to her."
The Guardian said McRae spoke to Semenya on three different occasions, and that the runner willingly participated in a photo shoot for the newspaper.
The International Association of Athletics Federations is currently reviewing gender test results to determine whether Semenya is eligible to compete as a woman. The IAAF has refused to confirm or deny Australian media reports that the tests indicate Semenya has both male and female sex organs.
People are staring
A decision is expected to be announced on Friday.
Semenya easily won the 800 world title in a season's best 1 minute, 55.45 seconds. Before the final in Berlin, the IAAF said it had ordered gender tests be conducted on her because of her muscular build and rapid improvement in times.
Besides the international intrigue created by the gender test, the case has also entangled the president of the South African athletics federation, Leonard Chuene. In September, Chuene admitted he lied about his knowledge of gender tests performed on Semenya in South Africa before the worlds. He has since been suspended.
In the article, Semenya she was accepted by her training partners but was still an object of discussion for others.
"It's not so easy. The university is OK, but there are not many other places I can go," Semenya said. "People want to stare at me now. They want to touch me. I'm supposed to be famous but I don't think I like it so much."