South Africa Olympic Champion Caster Semenya Declares She's 'Unquestionably a Woman'
South Africa middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has declared that she's is "unquestionably a woman."
The two-time 800m Olympic Champion's declaration comes ahead of hearing of a case challenging the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) proposal to restrict testosterone levels in female athletes at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
“Ms. Semenya is unquestionably a woman. She is a heroine and an inspiration to many around the world,” her lawyers say in a statement.
“She asks that she be respected and treated like any other athlete.”
The proposal by IAAF will reportedly create rules that would force the so-called “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “differences of sexual development” (DSD) to keep testosterone levels below a prescribed amount.
The three-time world champion has denounced the IAAF's proposals and has received backing from the South African government.
Her lawyers argue that her genetic gift should be celebrated not discriminated against.
“She looks forward to responding to the IAAF at the upcoming CAS hearing,” Semenya’s legal team notes.
Besides Semenya, other runners whose testosterone levels have been questioned include Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Kenya’s Margaret Wambui.
“I just want to run naturally, the way I was born. It is not fair that I am told I must change. It is not fair that people question who I am,” Semenya said previously.
Comments (15)
This dude got married. He has a wife not a husband.
Exactly.
As did Martina Navratilova with her masculine physique. But nobody tested her testosterone levels or doubted her femininity coz she's white. Meanwhile she was winning every tennis tournament in the world.
Serena Williams has not been harassed either; she has equally a masculine physique. Straining activities tend to give women a more masculine physique....
Navratilova and Serena have Breasts (one of the Glories of a true Woman). Semenya does not.
Well if a measure of a woman is having the testes internally then she is correct. The experts are split on this one.Her high level of testosterone hormones apparently give her an advantage over women with 'normal" range.
Our own Margaret Nyairera,a bronze medalist in 800 at RIO Oympics has also been in question.Infact the 3 medalists ,Semenya,Nyonsaba of burundi,and Margaret are very manly.They all look like men. Is it a coincidence that manly looking women out run the rest? What IAAF is trying to level the playing field.Actually, its not the IAAF that is raising this issues,but other athletes.They feel that transgender,and hyperandrogenic athletes should not run as women.
This issue is supposed to be settled this coming week.Whichever way its ruled,someone will not be happy.
This is atough one for sure,especially when world championships and the diamond league circuit are just around the corner. Where is King Solomon when we need his wisdom?
Any being with "Testosterone more than Oestrogen" is Essentially a Man." Awache ujinga.
The way things are going, 'hermaphrodite' should be a gender group. For this group, gays and lesbians get a straight pass...in my world. Check boxes should have M F H as categories. Each group then would enjoy it's STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES equally!
Another case of blatant racism. Why aren't white masculine women athletes subject to the same scrutiny? We need to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery.
@Mumbi,like isaid thus is a tough one.People will not those who want semenyas male hormones to be reduced to that of females don't do so openly.My concern is why only 800_ 1500 runners are supposedly affected.
It's because White is a Melting pot of Morons, Liberals, and Imbeciles MESMERIZED by Twisted Culture. In fact a "No Culture" the Reason for being booted from Europe (landing in the Americas).
🤔🤔Good Question.
@ mugukuyu, even more confounding is that if IAAF wins,Semenya can run 5000meter,and longer without reducing her testosterone ,but will have to if she wants to run 1500meters or less;where she dominates. She has never run 5000 meters to my knowledge.
currently the 800m womens world record since 1983 is being held by a Russian woman that looks like a man. why doesn't IAAF start with 'her'
These 3 people are men.