Troubled Semenya says ready to compete again
Source: Agencies |
April 1, 2010, Thursday
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CASTER Semenya says she will return to competitive racing this season, releasing a statement on the same day that she was denied a chance to run at a meet in South Africa because the results from her gender verification tests have not yet been released.
The 19-year-old Semenya, who has not raced or spoken publicly since she won the women's 800 meters race at the world championships in Berlin in August, said on Tuesday that she has not done anything wrong and should be allowed to race.
"I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions," Semenya said.
The IAAF is still reviewing the test results to determine the South African runner's eligibility. The organization has refused to confirm or deny Australian media reports that the tests indicate Semenya has both male and female sex organs.
Although there is no ban or suspension preventing Semenya from competing, it is thought that she had agreed not to race until the IAAF releases its findings.
"I am of the firm view that there is no impediment to me competing in athletics competitions," Semenya said. "I will however continue to assist the IAAF with whatsoever they may require for their own processes and in this regard I have instructed my legal and medical team to work closely with, and continue negotiation with them for these purposes."
Earlier on Tuesday, Semenya was denied a spot to race at a meet in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, despite pleas from her coach and lawyer to let her compete.
Semenya's lawyer later said there has been no agreement with the South African athletics federation for the runner to refrain from competing until the expected June release of her test results by the IAAF.
"We are not stopping her as lawyers," Greg Nott said. "I think she would love to (compete before June). That's for her to answer and her coach. She came ready to race tonight. This action today was about saying: 'It's time for the power to be given back to the athlete, which is Caster.'
"What we want is Athletics South Africa to come out in full support of the athlete, Caster, and we want the IAAF to understand completely the position where we are and the frustration of Caster. Somebody's got to give and we are pushing that."
It was unclear when she would make her return.
Meet organizer Richard Stander said Semenya was "not comfortable with" the situation surrounding her eligibility.
"Caster said she was not happy. She wants to participate. She wants to perform," Stander said. "She is a performer. ... She doesn't have the opportunity to do that at the moment."
Semenya sat in the VIP section at the Stellenbosh meet and watched others compete. It is her first public appearance since she returned home from the world championships.
Patrick Magyar, organizer of the Weltklasse meet in Zurich and vice chairman of the elite Diamond League circuit, said he expected organizers of the 14 events to follow the IAAF's lead.
"I don't think any of the meeting directors will take any decision outside of the IAAF," Magyar said. "We don't have clearance (to let Semenya run). There has not been any discussion on it so far."
Jos Hermens, the meeting director for the Shanghai Grand Prix, said he could not say what his position on Semenya. "For me it's not of any urgency and I don't want to make any decision on that," Hermens said. "I can only look at the human side that it's terrible that this is happening to her. Whatever the outcome, the only victim is her."
The 19-year-old Semenya, who has not raced or spoken publicly since she won the women's 800 meters race at the world championships in Berlin in August, said on Tuesday that she has not done anything wrong and should be allowed to race.
"I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions," Semenya said.
The IAAF is still reviewing the test results to determine the South African runner's eligibility. The organization has refused to confirm or deny Australian media reports that the tests indicate Semenya has both male and female sex organs.
Although there is no ban or suspension preventing Semenya from competing, it is thought that she had agreed not to race until the IAAF releases its findings.
"I am of the firm view that there is no impediment to me competing in athletics competitions," Semenya said. "I will however continue to assist the IAAF with whatsoever they may require for their own processes and in this regard I have instructed my legal and medical team to work closely with, and continue negotiation with them for these purposes."
Earlier on Tuesday, Semenya was denied a spot to race at a meet in Stellenbosch, near Cape Town, despite pleas from her coach and lawyer to let her compete.
Semenya's lawyer later said there has been no agreement with the South African athletics federation for the runner to refrain from competing until the expected June release of her test results by the IAAF.
"We are not stopping her as lawyers," Greg Nott said. "I think she would love to (compete before June). That's for her to answer and her coach. She came ready to race tonight. This action today was about saying: 'It's time for the power to be given back to the athlete, which is Caster.'
"What we want is Athletics South Africa to come out in full support of the athlete, Caster, and we want the IAAF to understand completely the position where we are and the frustration of Caster. Somebody's got to give and we are pushing that."
It was unclear when she would make her return.
Meet organizer Richard Stander said Semenya was "not comfortable with" the situation surrounding her eligibility.
"Caster said she was not happy. She wants to participate. She wants to perform," Stander said. "She is a performer. ... She doesn't have the opportunity to do that at the moment."
Semenya sat in the VIP section at the Stellenbosh meet and watched others compete. It is her first public appearance since she returned home from the world championships.
Patrick Magyar, organizer of the Weltklasse meet in Zurich and vice chairman of the elite Diamond League circuit, said he expected organizers of the 14 events to follow the IAAF's lead.
"I don't think any of the meeting directors will take any decision outside of the IAAF," Magyar said. "We don't have clearance (to let Semenya run). There has not been any discussion on it so far."
Jos Hermens, the meeting director for the Shanghai Grand Prix, said he could not say what his position on Semenya. "For me it's not of any urgency and I don't want to make any decision on that," Hermens said. "I can only look at the human side that it's terrible that this is happening to her. Whatever the outcome, the only victim is her."
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