Semenya family: 'She's a girl'

The source of the controversy is obvious to any one, the South African sport authority should have been pro-active in conducting the necessary tests to prove her gender for purpose of the competition (she just came practically from nowhere and ran an incredible time - breaking the record)...
Now they have embarrassed her in front of the whole world...it is their fault! There's nothing wrong with her as a human being...but I do believe that in sport the playing field should be level particularly based on the definition of gender to compete by the IAAF.The cloud that hangs over her head is unnecessary and puts a shame on the South African sport authority who also acted suspiciously after her win...no interviews, statement from her...etc.
I hope for her sake the testing proves in her favour...

Berry Juice - I am afraid that you are wrong about where the 'blame' lies. Since when do we question the very human existence of a person simply because they 'look' different? The athletics world is full of examples of stars bursting onto the scene. Indeed, it is not uncommon for novice marathon runners to run extraordinary times. I have one example in mind (I shall research and let you know the name of the athlete). No one ever doubted their gender because she 'looked' like she was a woman. Indeed, in the 60s/70s, Kenyan and Ethiopian runners were emerging on the scene and easily beating seasoned, recognized runners from Europe and the US. No one had ever heard of them or knew they existed. Whilst SA is a vastly more developed country, to not allow ourselves to imagine that there are a multitude of 'rough-diamonds' waiting to be found, would be to deny reality. I woudl suggest that Semanya is one of these 'rough-diamonds'. Watching the race last night, she certainly seemed like someone with raw talent but lacking tactical nouse. I would like to think that this is the stance that ASA have taken. That they trusted, as is normal when dealing with people (particularly youngsters), her integrity and good faith is something they should be praised for! Remember, SA is now a country where you are always innocent until proven guilty.

Obviously the Australian wanted to pressure her into choking at the big stage.Unlike our beloved Proteas she disappointed them and showed that S.Ans are not chokers. Pity the beloved S.A.B.C once again failed to show this brilliance live for all of S.A to see.
Viva Caster and Viva R.S.A.

Let us also not forget that while her performance was incredible, a young Maria Mutola would still have beaten her. Surely, no 'real woman' could beat a man! (tongue firmly in cheek)

Berry juice, whoever you are, you are a disgrace to our nation. Why would anyone's gender be tested jus out of the blue? Maybe we need to test if you are a sane person. Maybe you are not really a juice, but something else. Anyway, what are you? A male, female or somewhere in between. Because I am sure that neither men or female society would like to associated with a fool like you.

We need to tell IAAF to leave Caster alone. Is she the only athlete who has got such feature? Did the IAAF conduct such test on previuos athlete like Maria Mutola.

To throw in the cat, in defense of one Berry Juice, I totally get your point, I don't know about the tirade re. ASA though, when Ndlovu and Xavier are honest they would admit that if Caster pretended to be a man, running a mens race, they would not have questioned her gender,as opposed to say...Basetsana Kumalo pretending to be a man. This issue goes into the heart of our sociological constructs about aesthetic appeal, it says absolutely nothing wrong about this young lady.

has anyone seen the ladies nigerian soccer team? they make caster look like miss world and has nayone tested them? or is it because they have not won the world cup yet?

Why did You make me Black?
Why did You make someone
The world wants to hold back?

Why did You give me thick lips,
A broad nose and kinky hair?
Why did You make me someone
Who receives the hatred stare?

How come my bone structure's so thick;
My hips and cheeks are high?
How come my eyes are brown
And not the color of the daylight sky?

Why do people think I'm useless?
How come I feel so used?
Why do some people see my skin
And think I should be abused?

By: RuNett Nia Ebo © 1994

Caster has made us proud as South Africans, regardless of the brouhaha following her. I really admire her courage; pulling herself up from that big a stage and come up tops

"She's a girl..."

Is she now?

It is not fair that a young sportswoman should have to deal with the pressure of this media speculation in addition to the pressure that the championship itself puts on her. After she has proven her outstanding athletic capacity, she now have to demonstrate a huge mental capacity. Ms Semenya will of course be a winner in the outcome of the controversy and I would like to tell her to be very strong. Maybe stronger than she ever have had to be. Is it not important for this girl of 18 to know that she is a beautiful and worthy champion of the world?

Xavier I stand firmly on my position, these kinds of issues are common in sports together with drug use and tutti quanti, e.g. athlete such as Edinanci Silva a judoka gold medalist was is such a case, I think the relevant sport authorities must be proactive in protecting athletes from such humiliation. When you enter a competition there are guidelines, rules, criteria, etc. That is done to make sure that no one on the starting line has an added advantage over others whether based substance taken or naturally,e.g. Marion Jones took substances over the years and many others. I think SA is way too sensitive over the issue, she is not the first athlete to be doubted on gender and people must stop making the issue about race (they sound ridiculous)...all i'm saying take care of a potential problem before everyone blow it out of proportion...as far as i'm concerned it's none issue lets talk about something else like high food prices in SA