The Life of Intersex Runner Caster Semenya
Caster Semenya is an Olympic gold medalist — but she was recently barred from competing at the next IAAF World Athletics Championships because of her testosterone levels. This is her story. 👟
Quick decisions on “someone looks like a man”
An Olympic champion who has hyperandrogenism, Caster Semenya was born in 1991, in South Africa. As a child, she played soccer but later switched to track and field. At the age of 18, she was noticed at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin. Her appearance, deep voice and performance surprised many. She was suspected of being a man. The International Association of Athletics Federations conducted “femininity testing” on her.
Nick Davis IAAF spokesman states, “There is a protocol, it’s the IOC’s protocol, the Olympic sport protocol, on gender verification. And that’s why it’s so rigorous and so important to do the tests and not to make quick judgements, quick decisions on “someone looks like a man; therefore, they must be a man.” In August 2010, the verdict came: she is intersex and has hyperandrogenism — which means her body produces a high level of testosterone.”
Starting in 2009 for 2 years, the Federation and the Court of Arbitration for Sport clashed over draft legislation that could prevent her from competing or require her to undergo hormone treatment. In January 2017, she renewed her vows to her partner, Violet Raseboya, who she’d married in a traditional ceremony in 2015. A few months later, she won her 3rd title for the 800 meters and won the bronze medal for the 1,500 meters in the World Championships held in London.
In March 2018, she earned a degree in Sports Science. In May 2019, the International Association of Athletics Federations introduced a regulation requiring female athletes with hyperandrogenism to undergo treatment to lower their testosterone level before they can compete in races ranging from 400 meters to a mile. In July 2019, despite the appeals Semenya submitted to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss Supreme Court, the Federation’s regulation held. Semenya was barred from competing and will not be able to participate in the World Championships taking place this September in Qatar.
Brut.
703 comments
Sefanaia L.
12 hoursWow
Laurie S.
a dayThere should be a separate category in which she could compete with others born like her.
Melodie S.
5 daysIf she was an American it would be ok....or white
Melodie S.
5 daysSo man competing with woman. They changed their gender and claiming they are women.kmt
Semenya A.
5 daysHello
Rhys-Ann W.
6 daysSo she gets banned but transgender men and women are allowed to represent the genders they identify as in sports??
Onuwdiwo B.
10/22/2020 02:39I don't care what you've done, how black your sins are, how smutty your life is; Jesus Christ is knocking at your heart's door to forgive you, no matter who you are. Jesus Christ loves you.
Onuwdiwo B.
10/22/2020 02:39No matter how rich you might be, No matter how you can be, No matter who you might be, The greatest thing there is that any man can achieve in these Earth, Is To Achieve ETERNAL LIFE .. Amen..60-0304 ... THIRSTING FOR LIFE ..
Onuwdiwo B.
10/22/2020 02:39Only Jesus Christ Our God and Our Creator only can save us from death. Isaiah 9: 6, Revelation 1: 8, John 1:10, 5: 21-25,40 6: 23-48, 51-58, 63, 8: 51. 11: 25-26. 1 Corinthians 15:22. Jesus Christ is coming anytime repent.I don't care what you've done, how black your sins are, how smutty your life is; Jesus Christ is knocking at your heart's door to forgive you, no matter who you are. Jesus Christ loves you.
Kaylin K.
10/20/2020 10:18Nobody cares about a cheater
Sandra P.
10/19/2020 12:08Very talented. Hope she can continue to so what she loves
Susan D.
10/18/2020 11:11We are very proud that you are running for your country a wish you all the best for the furture a happiness congratulations keep up the excellent work south africa is behind you all way
Shameem M.
10/17/2020 21:59Which is which now?
Andrea B.
10/17/2020 21:48Unfair to her she didn't use enhancing drugs so why take away her natural talent this is who the Creator made her!!
Laura L.
10/16/2020 21:17They can voetsek! She made a point about how they need to focus on doping!
NiNi G.
10/16/2020 13:01Well if they say she can’t compete with woman then I’m sure she’d be happy to compete with men. Let her compete with men. She should be allowed to compete with women
Joanie M.
10/15/2020 16:03Admire Caster for sticking to her guns and rejecting those drugs, God made her that way, black all the way, and unique
Talent M.
10/14/2020 20:51Jealousy kills am telling you , she cannot change the way she was born , Are they God who created her
Tanya G.
10/14/2020 04:55It’s always a double-standard for people of color. However, Oscar Pistorius “Blade Runner” was allowed to compete with body armor for legs and when challenged the federation allowed him to compete. The real issue here is she is not pleading with them to validate her. She Already Knows SHE’S AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETE‼️💯✊🏾🖤
Annakarima S.
10/14/2020 04:38We ARE HUMANS FIRST ....gender comes later .... May courage and strength be with you and your partner in life, in any needed length 🙏🌹🙏🌹