Semenya is a hermaphrodite
THE runner at the centre of the ‘is she or isn’t he?’ gender controversy has both male and female organs, it was reported on Friday. Caster Semenya, the 18-year-old South African women’s world champion, is a hermaphrodite, according to an Australi
THE runner at the centre of the ‘is she or isn’t he?’ gender controversy has both male and female organs, it was reported on Friday.
Caster Semenya, the 18-year-old South African women’s world champion, is a hermaphrodite, according to an Australian newspaper.
It said the world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, is expected to disqualify Semenya from future events and advise an operation because the condition carries grave health risks.
The runner, who was raised as a girl by her family, has undergone a series of tests to try to end the speculation about her sex following her gold medal win in the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last month.
Quoting a source closely involved with the IAAF, the Sydney Daily Telegraph claimed the tests showed the runner has no womb or ovaries. It said she has three times more testosterone than a normal female and as a result of the discovery about her sex could have the gold medal taken away from her.
It added that Semenya had internal testes - male sexual organs which produce testosterone and which in turn produce muscle bulk, body hair and a deep voice.
Semenya, said the paper, is so far unaware of the tests identifying her as a hermaphrodite.
The tests examined her physical make-up as well as her chromosomes and DNA.
The process involved a physical medical evaluation and assessments by a gynaecologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialist and gender expert.
The IAAF confirmed it had received a report into the athlete’s gender but refused to give details.
A spokesman said the data would be studied by experts before Semenya was told, within a fortnight, of the outcome in a private call. South Africa has strongly defended the runner against claims that she is a man.
Caster Semenya, the 18-year-old South African women’s world champion, is a hermaphrodite, according to an Australian newspaper.
It said the world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, is expected to disqualify Semenya from future events and advise an operation because the condition carries grave health risks.
The runner, who was raised as a girl by her family, has undergone a series of tests to try to end the speculation about her sex following her gold medal win in the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last month.
Quoting a source closely involved with the IAAF, the Sydney Daily Telegraph claimed the tests showed the runner has no womb or ovaries. It said she has three times more testosterone than a normal female and as a result of the discovery about her sex could have the gold medal taken away from her.
It added that Semenya had internal testes - male sexual organs which produce testosterone and which in turn produce muscle bulk, body hair and a deep voice.
Semenya, said the paper, is so far unaware of the tests identifying her as a hermaphrodite.
The tests examined her physical make-up as well as her chromosomes and DNA.
The process involved a physical medical evaluation and assessments by a gynaecologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialist and gender expert.
The IAAF confirmed it had received a report into the athlete’s gender but refused to give details.
A spokesman said the data would be studied by experts before Semenya was told, within a fortnight, of the outcome in a private call. South Africa has strongly defended the runner against claims that she is a man.