HomeCaster Semenya of South Africa will keep the 800meter gold medal she earned in August at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin. In addition to her medal and prize money winnings, Semenya’s gender test results will also be kept confidential and closed from the public according to the South African Sports ministry on November 19, 2009.
The South African sports ministry pushed the IAAF to keep the recent gender test results strictly between patient and doctor. Once the IAAF agreed, the ministry announced today the confidentiality and urged South Africans and media to please respect Semenya’s privacy.
Semenya made headlines after her 800 meter race, not only for her stunning victory, but also for her noticeably masculine build and dramatic drop in time. The ministry claimed the IAAF ordered gender test pre-race, but it turned out Atheltics South Africa president Leonard Chuene lied about these tests being performed; he was later suspended from his post. However rumors still swirled post-race, especially as an Australian news source announced that the 18 year old runner was a hemaphrodite.
Semenya has served as a political symbol for gender equality and international oppression.
The IAAF has apologized for its role in this precedent-setting ordeal, claiming that they are sorry for the release of so much mis-information. The people of South Africa have stood behind their 1:55 800meter world champion the entire time.