For the past three (3) weeks we've been having a lot of drama in female sports...
Australian newspaper - The Daily Telegraph, amidst reports that the results of the IAAF's gender tests on Caster Semenya, were now known, reported on September 11,2009, that the 19-year old South African 800 metres (800m) runner, was intersex (a pseudo hermaphrodite):
Meaning, she has both female and male sex organs, but is manifesting one type, physically.
It is said that Caster Semenya has a vagina and labia but her testicles are internal and hence, unseen. (In a male, the testicles hang down, outside the body cavity and are clearly visible).
As a result of the presence of testes (testicles), Caster allegedly produces three (3) times the normal amount of testosterone for a woman.
(Testosterone is the sex hormone that stimulates development of male sex characteristics and bone and muscle growth. It is produced by the testicles and in small amounts, by the ovaries).
The Daily Telegraph claims that the IAAF will let Caster keep her medal, but will prevent her from taking part in any female events.
IAAF officials ordered the tests after she set a new world record, during the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin.
Apparently the IAAF had also asked Caster to do a gender test, after she got a world leading time in the African Junior Championships, in July 2009.
They refused to comment on the Daily Telegraph's report until November, when they will release an official statement.
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Of course South African Sports officials are incensed and have threatened "World War Three"...
But psychological and endocrinological experts, in Jamaica, are saying that her family would have known that she's intersex...
...As her clitoris may have been elongated (beyond the normal length of a female, or her labia, not fully developed)...they would have to have known that something was amiss.
Some experts blame Caster's handlers for this melee, as they say that the World Championships was not the first time that Caster's gender was brought into question.
(Remember also, that this is not the first time that a female athlete's gender has been in question. Previously, an Indian athlete committed suicide as she just couldn't take the pressure being brought on about her gender, by the press).
But one can empathize with Caster Semenya's family. This woman just recently turned 19 and for her very private life to be made so public, must take some getting used to by her and her family.
(The family will need a lot of emotional support from their community, as well as others across the world, who can empathize with what Caster is going through).
If she is in fact intersex:
1) It would not be her fault - she was just born this way
2) What does the IAAF do?
Do they say to this young woman - your athletic career is over, as you classify as neither male or female?...
Or do they force her to have surgery in order to remove the testes, so that she can fully identify as female?
Hmmmh!!??!!...
...Or, do they find a happy, ethical and medical medium in which this woman can compete, as a woman?
The press was very captivated by this story, until the outbursts from Serena Williams (the world's no. 2 in tennis), made during her US Open Semi-final match with Kim Clijsters, took centre-stage.
She was called for a foot fault earlier in the match and on the final point of the match (which she lost), was called again.
Serena, incensed at losing to Clijsters and incensed at being called wrongly, for a foot fault, pointed her racket, menacingly at the line judge.
The line judge, who happens to be Asian (and we know the history of Asian-African American relations in the USA), who obviously felt threatened, told match officials, that Serena had threatened to kill her.
What a prekeh! (what a thing!)
Off course Serena, then retorted loudly, that she had said no such thing.
She shook hands with Clijsters and left the court in a huff...she didn't stay to be interviewed by the press or to wave goodbye to fans.
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On examination of TV footage from the match, US Open officials are saying that the line judge's call was wrong.
However, they fined Serena US $10,000, for "unsportsmanlike behaviour" and US $500, for racket abuse in the first set.
(The US $10,000 is the maximum amount allowed for a fine for unsportsmanlike behaviour).
They are investigating the possibility of banning her from all Grand Slams for next year and fining her more money.
Now, according to Wikipedia.org, Serena Williams has won more grand slams than any other female in tennis and has won more career prize money.
Hmmh!...
When John McEnroe went on with his antics, during his years of playing tennis, did he get banned for a year?
[John McEnroe was an excellent male tennis player, who was a hot-head - he got angry very easily during his matches and would throw tantrums on the court (including banging his racket unto the court surface and arguing with match officials)].
You know, I'm anxious to know what US match officials will do.
For if they choose to be very heavy-handed with Serena, I'm sure she would have a great court case.
Sure, she acted unwisely, and yes, she's a role model for young girls and young women...but to be fined more money and banned from Grand Slams for a year?...
Oh pp-lease!
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So will Sports officials do the right thing by these two young, talented, sportswomen?
I hope so, because their decisions will set either bad or good precedents in these two sports!
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As usual, GWAP Blog will keep you updated re the ensuing and final decisions by sports officials, regarding these two women.
(I would like to thank vnnb2 for the use of his/her? inset photo of Caster Semenya and paddynapper for the use of his/her? photo of Serena Williams).
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Article, "South Africa accused of cover-up over Caster Semenya gender tests", by David Smith, the guardian.co.uk, September 18,2009
2) Various News reports following the US Open Semi-final Match between Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters, September 13-16,2009
3) Article, "Serena fined for outburst in US Open semis", by SportsNetwork.com, September 13,2009
4) Interviews on Nationwide Radio, September 11-16, 2009
5) Article, "Caster Semenya has male sex organs and no womb or ovaries", by Mike Hurst, the Daily Telegraph, September 11,2009
6) Article," Gender row athlete: what is intersexuality?," CNN.com/health,August 2009
7) Serena Williams' Biography, Wikipedia.org
8) John McEnroe's Biography,Wikipedia.org
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