Semenya sets June 24 as date of return
Source: Agencies |
April 7, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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CASTER Semenya, the 800 meters world champion at the center of a gender verification row, will return to competitive athletics at an international meet in Zaragoza, Spain, on June 24, she said yesterday.
The South African, 19, underwent gender verification tests after she won the women's 800 at the Berlin world championships last August and has not run competitively since.
Athletics South Africa has made clear Semenya is not banned from competition but said she must wait for the results of her tests from the International Association of Athletics Federations which are not expected until June.
The athlete attempted to run at a meet in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on March 30 but was prevented from doing so by the ASA.
"I believe the decision to bar me from competing in Stellenbosch last week was unlawful and wrongful," Semenya said in a statement yesterday.
"I have, however, considered the request by the ASA that I await the conclusion of the IAAFs' processes by the beginning of June this year before I return to competitive athletics.
"I have also instructed my legal representatives to seek confirmation from the IAAF that it will complete its processes by the beginning of June.
"Together with my coach and agent, I have therefore decided that I will return to competitive athletics at the European Athletic Association meet to be held on June 24 in Zaragoza, Spain," Semenya said.
Semenya added that, based on medical and legal advice she has received, there were no "impediments" to her competing in female athletics competitions.
Her coach Michael Seme believes she will be ready to compete in June. "We chose to return in Spain because there are no more races in South Africa this season," he said.
"She has been in training but we are going to get serious now and really step it up."
The South African, 19, underwent gender verification tests after she won the women's 800 at the Berlin world championships last August and has not run competitively since.
Athletics South Africa has made clear Semenya is not banned from competition but said she must wait for the results of her tests from the International Association of Athletics Federations which are not expected until June.
The athlete attempted to run at a meet in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on March 30 but was prevented from doing so by the ASA.
"I believe the decision to bar me from competing in Stellenbosch last week was unlawful and wrongful," Semenya said in a statement yesterday.
"I have, however, considered the request by the ASA that I await the conclusion of the IAAFs' processes by the beginning of June this year before I return to competitive athletics.
"I have also instructed my legal representatives to seek confirmation from the IAAF that it will complete its processes by the beginning of June.
"Together with my coach and agent, I have therefore decided that I will return to competitive athletics at the European Athletic Association meet to be held on June 24 in Zaragoza, Spain," Semenya said.
Semenya added that, based on medical and legal advice she has received, there were no "impediments" to her competing in female athletics competitions.
Her coach Michael Seme believes she will be ready to compete in June. "We chose to return in Spain because there are no more races in South Africa this season," he said.
"She has been in training but we are going to get serious now and really step it up."
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