SA Olympic body to probe Semenya drama

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-25 10:05

Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei of Kenya , Caster Semenya of South Africa and Jennifer Meadows of Britain (L-R) display their medals during the awards ceremony for the women's 800 metres at the world athletics championships at the Olympic stadium in Berlin August 20, 2009. [Agencies]

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's sports governing body said on Wednesday it will probe the conduct of athletics officials in the gender tests carried out on 800 meter world champion Caster Semenya.

"We are mindful of the fact that people are angry and upset but caution that due process must be followed in attempting to uncover the truth," said Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president Gideon Sam.

Outrage around Semenya - who faces a gender storm - deepened after Athletics South Africa (ASA) admitted on Saturday that sex tests were done ahead of the World Championships in Berlin, and that medical advice to withdraw her was ignored.

"SASCOC will launch a full investigation into the Semenya matter to ascertain the truth about events leading to the participation and testing of Semenya and subsequent conduct of the officials of ASA," Sam said.

Caster Semenya

A probe into Semenya's sex was announced last month by the world athletics governing body, the IAAF, shortly before she powered to the world's fastest 800m this year at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

Leaked test results to the media reporting Semenya was a hermaphrodite this month caused further anger from the South African public and government, who have rallied behind the athlete and gave her a hero's welcome on her return from the games.

Deputy sport minister Gert Oosthuizen on Sunday called for ASA head Leonard Chuene to be fired after he admitted to lying about the tests, saying "they will be running the risk of being led by a liar" if they did not act.

A cabinet meeting on Wednesday expressed disappointment with the handling of the matter by sports bodies but said they "must be given the chance to deal with the matter first".

"We believe the way this matter has been handled has been less than satisfactory," spokesman Themba Maseko said.

"Sports authorities both locally and internationally have a responsibility to deal with this matter as speedily as possible because the interest of an individual here has been completely undermined," he said.

Sam welcomed ASA's decision to co-operate in the investigation, saying it planned to hold meetings and interviews with officials from the athletics body.

"The investigation will result in making recommendations to SASCOC's board on how the matter should be handled and there are various options available to SASCOC," he said.

AFP