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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 09 2010 20:52 | LAST UPDATED Feb 09 2010 20:52 |
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World champion Caster Semenya has been tested in South Africa and found to have higher-than-usual testosterone levels, but she is well within the range that allows her to participate in women’s races. A week after the controversy broke, fingers are starting to point to the blunders and bad management of Athletics South Africa (ASA), which has been aware of the questions raised about her eligibility to compete in women’s athletics since she started to shine in junior competitions. But the local sports body has done nothing to stem the fallout. Two sources within ASA told the Mail & Guardian this week that the body had “made sure” she was eligible to compete, not by a process of gender verification but by a standard urine test taken by all competing athletes. “She was tested three years ago when she started competing and it was found that she is a woman. She may have rather high levels of male hormones, but she is definitely a woman,” a source in ASA said. Another source confirmed that she has been tested and found to be a woman, saying that the issue of whether or not an athlete is tested has to be kept confidential. “Of course it is controversial, but results are made known only if there is a problem,” said the source, who is a key manager of the elite athletics squad. The source defined a “problem” as the results affecting an athlete’s eligibility to compete as a woman, not public pressure. According to Chris Hattingh, the chairperson of ASA’s anti-doping committee, a urine sample taken for a doping test is often used to test the ratio between testosterone and epi-testosterone. Epi-testosterone is a natural steroid produced by the body, but it can be used to mask the appearance of an unusually high amount of testosterone. It is therefore classified as a prohibited substance. The urine sample given for doping tests is taken by a person of the same gender who is also authorised to check any irregularities in the athlete’s genitalia.  CONTINUES BELOW “IAAF [International Association of Athletics Federations] protocols regarding the normal ratio between testosterone and epi-testosterone as 1:1. When it becomes exceptionally high, like 4:1, you start suspecting a problem,” said Hattingh. The IAAF previously allowed athletes with ratios of up to 6:1 to compete, but now further tests are launched if the ratio is more than 4:1, said Hattingh. It is understood that Semenya’s tests show she is well within the acceptable range. The sources refused to be named because the testing process is confidential. Meanwhile, ASA boss Leonard Chuene continues to insist that no tests that might clear Semenya’s eligibility status have been performed. The middle-distance ASA coach, Wilfred Daniels, would not be drawn into discussing the Semenya case, but said “gender testing is not unique to Caster’s situation”. Chuene told the M&G that ASA is not “against the test”, but wanted the IAAF to consult ASA before testing. In an interview with the M&G Daniels said: “Gender testing is part of the sport. We are not against gender testing. It is because of the way it was handled. If they [the IAAF] want to test they must test everyone.” But Daniels insists that ASA is not as naive as it may sound: “We are not sitting ducks in this issue. Do these people really think we [would] allow such a fraud to take place under our watch?” Insiders close to ASA believe that Semenya was the ultimate “sacrificial lamb” in the organisation’s thirst for medals. “They might have looked the other way when concerns were raised about Semenya,” said one. On Tuesday Chuene made another attempt to divert blame from ASA, accusing a South African newspaper of starting the furore by “complaining” to the IAAF. It is understood that he was referring to the Afrikaans Sunday paper Rapport. Chuene refused to confirm this but said the paper in question would not face further action. Rapport editor Liza Albrecht told the M&G its athletics writer corresponded with the IAAF only after reports about Semenya had appeared in the Australian media. No stranger to steroids He is known in some circles as the creator of champions, but the head coach of Team South Africa’s elite athletes, Dr Ekkart Arbeit (68), has a chequered past that Athletics South Africa ignored when they slipped him in through the back door. Arbeit was brought in by ASA to boost South Africa’s chances of scoring medals at high-level athletics meetings and he oversaw the coaching of Semenya and her teammates, including medal-winners Khotso Mokoena and Mbulaeni Mulaudzi. Arbeit refused to be interviewed when the M&G contacted him at his home in Berlin. Born in East Germany, Arbeit was a former head coach of the East German athletics team during the Iron Curtain years, when pumping athletes full of steroids was a state-sponsored affair. He was disgraced in 1995 when he was named in a German parliamentary inquiry headed by Professor Werner Franke as a key figure in the 1970s and 1980s East German doping machine. At the time of the inquiry Franke labelled Arbeit a mastermind of one of “the largest pharmacological programmes in history” and “a major person responsible for the use of anabolic steroids”. The Franke report revealed that, while Arbeit was coach, he coordinated plans for which athletes should take which drugs and in what amounts. Franke found that Arbeit used performance-boosting steroids that could lead to the manipulation of sex hormones. At the time Arbeit shrugged off the report. “Everybody took the same or more drugs than East Germany,” he said. He admitted knowledge of drug use in East Germany during his eight years in senior posts, saying it was “part of the time”. One of Arbeit’s former athletes, shotput champion Heidi Krieger, felt forced to undergo sex-change surgery in 1997, seven years after she retired from athletics, to become Andreas Krieger. He maintains that Arbeit is to blame for this because of his role in supervising how he -- then she -- was systematically doped with anabolic steroids. ASA first tried to appoint Arbeit before the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the 2004 Olympic games to train the South African team. But after his shady past was given an airing in the South African media ASA said Arbeit no longer wished to come. But three years ago -- before the Beijing Olympics -- Arbeit was appointed as a scientific adviser. Three months before Beijing, in May 2008, ASA justified his appointment to the parliamentary committee on sport and recreation. “Dr Arbeit comes with a wealth of experience, having worked with national athletics teams in his native Germany and [in] Italy. He is the most sought-after coach in the world and has refused lucrative offers from countries such as Australia,” says the report, which is in the possession of the M&G. One MP who attended the meeting said the committee accepted Arbeit’s appointment because it trusted the bona fides of ASA. “We felt they knew what they were talking about and that they were telling the truth.” But the truth was more complicated. Arbeit was sacked as coaching director by Athletics Australia in 1997 because of his doping past as well as evidence that he had once been a Stasi spy, working for the former German secret police. Arbeit was given the task of driving ASA’s “high-performance strategy” by working with the cream of South African athletes. He would be especially involved in helping to train them for high-profile meetings such as the Olympics and the World Championships. This week ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo defended the organisation’s decision to appoint Arbeit as head coach on a consultancy basis. He pointed to Arbeit’s involvement in the IAAF -- he presented a coaching course in Berlin this week after the championships. “We have been working with him for more than three years. He was appointed because of his credentials in sport. The IAAF doesn’t have a problem with him. Why should we?” Although Arbeit politely declined to speak to the M&G this week, he said he was “very happy to see so many people for the arrival [of Caster Semenya] at the airport”. In South Africa Arbeit worked with Wilfred Daniels, the team’s middle-distance coach, and Semenya’s personal coach, Michael Seme. Arbeit is the head of ASA’s coaches who monitor athletes’ performances. “They are responsible for fitness testing and if they find that an athlete is not performing -- maybe because of a weight problem -- they will inform the athlete’s private coach,” Seme said. How the saga unfolded July 31 Caster Semenya wins the 800m at the African Junior Championships in Mauritius in a time of 1:56,72, almost eight seconds faster than her previous personal best, set in 2008. Speculation about her sex and possible doping starts to circulate. According to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), it asks Athletics South Africa to provide a report on Semenya’s sex. ASA president Leonard Cheune denies this happened. August 14 The IAAF asks Dr Harold Adams, chief medical officer to the South African athletics team and the IAAF’s Africa medical representative, to ask Chuene to withdraw Semenya from the competition. Chuene responds: “I said no ways and asked what evidence they had. How do I say she must be withdrawn after her performance in Mauritius?” August 19 Australian newspapers, including the Sydney Morning Herald and Herald Sun, report that the IAAF conducted physical checks and genetic screening on Semenya on August 18. Hours before Semenya’s race, the IAAF announces that it has begun gender-verification testing on her. That evening Semenya wins the 800m women’s final in 1:55:45. IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss takes Semenya’s place at the post-race conference. He says an investigation into Semenya’s gender is under way and that, given the complex nature of the tests, it could be weeks before the results are available. Chuene denies that the IAAF approached ASA officially on the matter and says Semenya has been treated “like a leper”. Molatelo Malehopo, the general manager of ASA, says: “We have not started testing and we have no plans to do so.” August 20 The Young Communist League releases a statement, saying: “This smacks of racism of the highest order. It represents a mentality of conforming feminine outlook within the white race.” The ANC Youth League releases a similar statement saying “imperialist countries” are pushing a “racist agenda” on South Africa. August 21 Phiwe Tsholetsane, the South Africa team manager, tells Britain’s TimesOnline: “I can confirm that Caster was never tested ... I would have had to give my consent for her to go to hospital ... and I have not.” But the IAAF names Harold Adams as the doctor leading its investigation. Butana Komphela, chairperson of the portfolio committee on sport and recreation, accuses the IAAF of racism and sexism and says he plans to lodge a complaint against the IAAF with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Just because she is black and she surpassed her European competitors, there is all this uproar.” August 23 IAAF president Lamine Diack admits the matter could have been treated more sensitively and cites a “leak of confidentiality” as the reason the IAAF felt compelled to confront the issue. August 24 Chuene claims Semenya was duped into undergoing sex tests without the consent of the ASA. August 25 The South African athletics team arrives back in the country to a near-hysterical welcome. At a press conference at OR Tambo airport, Chuene says no concerns about Semenya’s gender have been raised at previous competitions and implies that the South African media are responsible for reporting Semenya to the IAAF. To date the ASA has released no formal statement on the matter. TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
Why is the media still investigating the Caster Semenya issue? I wish they can leave the girl alone for a change!
Julio Maxajwe on August 28, 2009, 8:49 am
Why don't they just do a scan to see if she has ovaries and a uterus. Surely this wouldn't be so difficult to do. Some men are feminine even though they are men so what is wrong if some women are stronger and maybe a bit more butch than the average woman?? Well done Semenya!!
Silvia VE on August 28, 2009, 11:03 am
Media alwayS have something to say, the isssue is delt with and we happy tht our Caster will still give those ladies of the whole world a very tough time when they meet again. GO CASTER GO
WE LOVE U. U DID US PRIDE.
Thabo Phetle on August 28, 2009, 11:06 am
This is not about gender, but about life-changing drugs.
An enquiry needs to be made into the ASA as to how they could possibly choose "Anabolic Arbeit" as the coach given his scandalous conviction for doping athletes. For the conspiracy theorists - the anagram of Caster Semenya is: YES A SECRET MAN.
Dennis Hoines on August 28, 2009, 11:21 am
Ifeel very sorry for Caster, but as a former athletic Chairman, once I saw the name Arbeit as a "coach", I am of the opinion that she very likely has "been tampered with". Let us not be naive...an 8 second improvement in the 800 metres is highly improbable in a short timw...unless she unwittingly has been pumped with steroids, making her testosterene levels soar! What happened to Hezekial Sepeng could happen to the poor young girl.
derek james on August 28, 2009, 11:57 am
As a proud South African, I'm fully in support of Caster's Gold Medal win. While its a pity that the whole issue seems to have been badly handled by both ASA and the IAAF, the screaming hype in the media and the politicians climbing in on Caster's bandwagon to score themselves a few shabby points really havent helped. However, lets look on the positive side, as this has happened early in her career and maybe its just as well to confront these issues now and then Caster can put them behind her and let rip with her running career bringing home many more such medals for our country.
Anthony Krijger on August 28, 2009, 12:47 pm
Dennis & Derek.....In your haste to put blame on ASA, you once again got the cat by the tail! Dr. Arbeit coached the SA team with the full knowledge of the IAAF. If the IAAF have a problem with Arbeit and his coaching methods, why did'nt they ban him years ago? Why was he considered as a coach by Australia? The IAAF and the media are fully to blame for the trauma this young girl had to go through! We will stand by her, no matter what!
Freddie Fillis on August 28, 2009, 1:31 pm
Considered as a coach by oz, till his past was made known and then it was very quickly shot down. 2002 ASA tried to get him in, again, hastily shot down, somehow he snuck in the back door...
I don't think he was ever charged, hence legally speaking the IAAF can't do anything..but he openly admitted to what he had done, of that there can be no doubt. a little research freddie, easy to do.
Ian mcintosh on August 28, 2009, 2:03 pm
The accusations of racism in this extraodinarily shabby Caster story are just astonishing. Race is so completely a non-issue in this instance that even for Julian "the whites did it" and co. it's a remarkable jump of logic.
Caster looks like a (very handsome) young man. She sounds like a young man. She moves like a young man. Given the dirty history of world athletics, (especially the communist countries of old) of course there are going to be questions. What is repulsive is that the professional adults under whose care she falls her did not pre-empt the questions that were obviously going to arise. Because she appears masculine, they should have had all the correct tests done - thoroughly and properly - so the proof was there the moment the questions were asked. As for Dr Arbeit - let's wait and see what comes out in the dirty linen next.
Athalie on August 28, 2009, 2:10 pm
Mr Hoines I think only Bob can knock some sense into you. Caster is a woman until proven otherwise. Your repugnant freedom of speech is way over board and once more thank God you are not living in Zim, they were never gonna let you get away with it.
Mikhael Gorbachev on August 28, 2009, 2:14 pm
It is time to leave Caster alone now. She's been ruined by ASA one way or the other.
Time to smack the racists Chuene, Malema and Kompela around a bit - any takers?
GUS @ WORK on August 28, 2009, 2:52 pm
For the conspiracy theorists - the anagram of Dennis Hoines is:
SIEN HOND SIES.
feppie on August 28, 2009, 4:06 pm
It's a shame a true shame, Caster please accept my appologies on behalf of these people.
Kwame Mahlaba on August 28, 2009, 4:21 pm
Don't forget that the athletes who raced against her also raised their concerns. This is not about race or gender, but fair competition. Spare a thought for ALL the female athletes. I'd really like this matter to be settled, but please stop the race issue - black and white and brown athletes also want to know.
Buffalo Bill on August 28, 2009, 5:39 pm
WELCOME BACK TO ALL OUR ATHLETES
The nerve of the IAAF (who are those individuals who took those decisions – name them) to ask ASA to withdraw Caster from the final! I am glad ASA and Caster refused. And then they have the audacity to have a press conference where they spin the story the other way round “ she can run, but ….. the medal will be taken back …if … ” I think, the press conference was convened to please the complainers/to put pressure on Caster and ASA to withdraw her. It is clear the IAAF(or the individuals who wielded the power in Berlin at that time) gave more credence to those(still to be named) who complained than to the interests of the athlete! Accepting people’s right to complain in the name of fairness, accepting the right of the IAAF to test her, for them to publicly humiliate her as they did(before the final nogal) is unacceptable and to pressurise Caster to withdraw (and to do it without any clear evidence), is criminal! Against that background, it is unbelievable, that we find many South Africans who rather point fingers everywhere but the IAAF. Those people should not be surprised to be seen as being racist – because how else can their views be interpreted? Now, the IAAF are launching a probe into their bad handling of the Caster-saga (I see it as a admission of guilt) – but still some locals see the IAAF as the good guys in all of this. What ever the result of what ever tests that was done/not done(still unclear), the individuals on the IAAF who are responsible for the fiasco must be exposed. And Mr. Chuene – your public outburst at reporters at the airport was amateurish, to say the least! JM and Winnie – To welcome back sportspeople at the airport under a political banner, is just wrong. Our sportspeople, their families and supporters belong to the whole spectrum of parties. Such actions just divide the nation. An ex-athlete said on tv that ALL our athletes went there to win medals and not to lose; they ALL tried their best, so WELCOME BACK TO ALL OUR ATHLETES! THE NATION IS PROUD OF YOU!
feppie on August 28, 2009, 8:03 pm
the ASA approached Arbeit because of his history with drugs. I now have a question for all of the press, why have you not pushed ASA for their reasons for this, their are many international coaches, why hone in to this despicable man unless your intentions were less than honest - it's amazing that no-one who's interested in the sport didn't pick this up earlier. Is this what SA sport has come to, they must win at all costs even drugs ?
Yvonne Rowe on August 28, 2009, 11:13 pm
I'm an American track coach.Please stop the political correctness,racist,and jingoism.The issue is ''Is she a woman or a man?''.That's it.If she turns out a man let Arbiet coach her.If not celebrate.
Lawrence Webster on August 29, 2009, 6:50 pm
Lwarence, please shoosh! American track coach ... then focus on the US please ... we are SA'ns and these issues are sensitive to us ... we are conservative by nature and i find your comment very insensitive ... please just shoosh!
Ntokozo on September 17, 2009, 12:49 pm
The reality is that the world is looking at SA and the outcome of this issue.
Its clear that Chuene is not fit to do his job and should be fired. He is a liar and the world will laugh at SA for the manner in which ASA treated this issue. The bottom line is whether Casor is a male or a female will be known in November and we will see a lot a red faces, but the sad part is nothing will happen to these officials of ASA. They will be empoyed in another capacity and then we can just wait for the next disasster.
Johannes Jacobus van Huyssteen on September 18, 2009, 11:18 am
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