Friday, May 21, 2010

Looks like this is going to get sticky for Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya's much-anticipated return to the track on June 24 in Spain appears to be unwelcome among some athletes.

According to The Times of London, some elite runners are considering boycotting races if Semenya is allowed to take part in women's events after the resolution of her protracted sex-test case. Caster being a hermaphrodite has huge amounts of testosterone in her system giving her a huge advantage over normal woman

The South African has not competed since her gender became a source of global debate when she won the 800m at the world championships in Berlin in August.

She has said she will return in Zaragoza next month.

In an interview with the British newspaper, Jenny Meadows, the Briton who took the bronze in Berlin and has been one of few athletes to back Semenya, said that some athletes won't run if the 19-year-old South African is cleared to compete.

This would put the International Association of Athletics Federations in a sticky position ahead of its promised resolution by the end of next month. What is abundantly clear is that Casta has a distinct advantage over normal females and as such athletes are loath to run against her with her huge hormone advantage. It is understandable for these athletes as the playing field is no longer level for them and the odds are heavily weighted in Casters favour fairly or unfairly you decide?

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