South African Runner Found ‘Innocent’

It has been announced that Caster Semenya, the impressive 18-year-old South African runner, will retain her world title in the 800-meter race despite a public investigation/smear campaign against the athlete regarding the authenticity of her female gender.  —JCL

The Guardian:

The International Association of Athletics Federations has agreed that the South African runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800 metres world title, the country’s sports ministry said today.

The 18-year-old Semenya, who stormed to victory in August’s world championships in Berlin, underwent gender verification tests this summer in South Africa and Germany and a panel of experts has been studying the results for the IAAF.

South Africa’s government, Semenya’s lawyers and the IAAF had reached total agreement that she will retain her gold medal, title and prize money because she has been found “innocent of any wrong”, the ministry said in a statement.

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IAAF / Clyde Koa Wing

Semenya was found “innocent of any wrong.” Her gender tests will be treated as confidential.