IAAF: Gender tests on Semenya not ready
MONACO (AP) – The IAAF put off its decision regarding Caster Semenya’s eligibility to compete as a woman, saying yesterday that the gender tests on the South African runner have not yet been completed.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF_ had been expected to announce its findings tomorrow, but instead said in a statement it would not discuss her medical tests.
“The IAAF will not comment upon the medical aspects of Caster Semenya’s case. The medical testing of the athlete is still to be completed,” the IAAF said. “There will be no discussion of Caster Semenya’s case at the forthcoming IAAF Council Meeting… No further comment will be made on this subject until further notice.”
The IAAF Council is set to meet on Friday and Saturday.
The 18-year-old Semenya won the women’s 800-metre world championship title in August in a season’s best 1 minute, 55.45 seconds, but had her accomplishment overshadowed by gender test revelations. Before the final, the IAAF said it had ordered gender tests be conducted on her because of her muscular build and recent rapid improvement in times.
Australian newspapers said in September that Semenya has male and female sexual organs, but the IAAF has refused to confirm or deny those reports.
In South Africa, the case has also entangled the president of the South African athletics federation, Leonard Chuene. In September, Chuene admitted he lied about his knowledge of gender tests performed on Semenya in South Africa before the Worlds. He has since been suspended.