Caster Semenya allowed to compete in World Championships final
By James Toney and Tom Oldfield, Sportsbeat, in Berlin
SOUTH Africa's Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete in tonight's 800m final at the World Athletics Championships - despite an official investigation into her gender.
GREEN LIGHT: Caster Semenya allowed to compete in the 800m final at the World Championships
The 18-year-old is one of the favourites for gold, having burst onto the scene by clocking the fastest time this year, by more than a second, at last month's African Junior Championships.
However, Semenya's explosive performances, along with her muscular physique and visible facial hair, have led to a number of questions being raised by rivals.
But South Africa athletics chiefs vehemently deny the claims, insisting Semenya is all woman.
However, the IAAF confirmed they were aware of the brewing controversy surrounding the athlete and revealed their complex investigations would be concluded 'within weeks'.
"At this time, we don't have any conclusive evidence why she would not be able to run," said IAAF director of communications Nick Davies.
“There are no compulsory gender tests at IAAF events. What happens in areas where gender needs to be verified is a challenge is brought to our attention. It’s a medical issue, it is not cheating.
"There's two things that can happen - either improvement through doping or debate about gender.
"In accordance with regulations, the IAAF has the right to discreetly ask for a test to take place.
"It's a medical test but we need to make sure isn't gaining any sought of unfair advantage.
"The timing is unfortunate but she only broke through a few weeks ago.
"She has grown up as a woman and we can't turn round and say she's a man.
"The gender verify test is extremely complex. You need a medical evaluation, gynecologists. psychologists, internal experts on gender. It’s very lengthy and expensive process and it should be done under confidentiality agreement.
“We’re still waiting for those tests to be completed. It would be totally wrong to withdraw an athlete from the field in those circumstances. We have to be very sensitive.
"Until that report is concluded, it is only correct and proper.
“There is a need of course to make sure that the rules are followed. Women should compete in women’s competitions.
“However, we are investigating this in a fair-minded way. We are concerned for the person, we don't want to make it humiliating for her."
Under International Olympic Committee regulations all athletes must compete under their gender-at-birth. But there have been a number of famous controversies, including female German athlete Dora Ratjen.
Ratjen stole the show in the high jump at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the 1938 European Championships but was later revealed to be a man named Hermann.
The athlete blamed the confusion on being forced by the Nazi government to compete as a woman.
But Polish runner Ewa Klobukowska, who won a gold medal in the women's 4 x 100 metres relay and a bronze in the 100m in Tokyo in 1964, was the first athlete to be caught by the gender tests following their introduction.
Klobukowska was found to be a man three years later after failing a chromosome test.
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