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'Semenya will run in final'
2009-08-19 13:32
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Centre, Caster Semenya (File)
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Johannesburg - Athletics South Africa (ASA) denied media reports on Wednesday afternoon that Caster Semenya was in danger of not competing in the evening final of the women’s 800m at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
According to an Australian website, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had “conducted physical tests and genital screening to try to determine the legitimacy of Semenya’s sex”.
The report went on to say that a meeting between officials would determine whether or not she would compete in the final where she lines up as one of the favourites for the gold medal.
But a member of the ASA delegation said they did not know what tests had been done on the 18-year-old - although tests were done - and the results would not be made available to them for at least another few weeks.
“There are no rules to stop her from running,” said the source.
“That’s all nonsense and she will run because this matter will be closed for another few weeks or even months.”
Semenya’s gender has been questioned since the teenager burst onto the scene earlier this season when she broke Zola Budd’s South African junior mark in the two-lap event.
And after she improved to a world-leading 1:56 72 to win the African junior title in Mauritius three weeks ago, rumours continued to spread.
A muscular physique for a girl her age, facial hair and a deep toned voice have all raised suspicions, but ASA have previously said they had no reason to suspect that Semenya was not entirely female and had been born with both male and female chromosomes.
And as far as ASA are aware, the youngster is still eligible to compete in the 21:35 (SA time) final where they hope she will pick up the nation’s first World Championship medal in six years.