Audio By Carbonatix
Gender tests on South Africa's 800m world champion Caster Semenya have revealed that she has an inter gender condition, BBC Sport understands.
The 18-year-old was asked to take the tests following her rapid rise to prominence in 2009 and just hours before she won the title in Berlin.
The IAAF has the results but wants them examined before speaking to Semenya.
BBC Sport's Gordon Farquhar said: "It's likely that she has some hermaphroditic or inter-gender condition."
An Australian newspaper has claimed that Semenya is a hermaphrodite - someone who has some or all of the primary sex characteristics of both genders.
The reports have sparked an angry reaction in South Africa, with one senior MP calling for the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) to be sued over the way Semenya has been treated.
"Someone is guilty of leaking her confidential medical information to Australian newspapers," National Assembly's sports committee chairman Butana Komphela told the local Star newspaper.
But the IAAF's Nick Davies said: "The statements should be treated with caution as they are not official statements by the IAAF.
"We have received the results from Germany, but they now need to be examined by a group of experts and we will not be in a position to speak to the athlete about them for at least a few weeks.
"After that, depending on the results, we will meet privately with the athlete to discuss further action."
The IAAF has confirmed they will not comment further on Semenya until after the IAAF council meeting in Monaco on 20-21 November.
Farquhar added: "We already know that she has testosterone levels that are three times higher than those normally expected in a female.
"It's a serious issue and the athlete has to be told the implications.
"There are three possible outcomes from the expert's discussions: that the condition does not give her a competitive advantage.
"The condition gives her a competitive advantage, which cannot be treated, or most likely, the condition can be treated in some way if she consents to it, and in time she can return to competition.
"The IAAF have to weigh the interest of the athlete, an apparently innocent victim in this, with their responsibility to ensure fair competition."
Semenya won the 800m title in Berlin in August in the fastest time of the year, one minute, 55.45 seconds, 2.5 seconds ahead of Kenya's 2007 champion Janeth Jepkosgei.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Here’s why ECG’s ‘cosmetic revenue feat’ masks deep leadership and governance failures
27 seconds -
Salaga South MP takes Ghana’s child rights agenda to global CRC session in Geneva
7 minutes -
Cedi claws back some gains, but demand pressures set to resume
15 minutes -
Renewal of Foreign Exchange Trading Licenses contingent upon sustained compliance, regulatory requirements  – BoG to banks
28 minutes -
Black Princesses receive owed per diems for Tunisia World Cup doubleheader
42 minutes -
Gov’t plans GH¢10bn domestic infrastructure bond to fund roads, boost economic recovery
45 minutes -
Daddy Lumba estate battle deepens as Akosua Serwaah heads to Court of Appeal
50 minutes -
Bond market: Liquidity remains modest, turnover increases by 0.35% to GH¢1.59bn
56 minutes -
Bawku conflict:Â Court orders AG to justify continued detention of Seidu Abagre
59 minutes -
Boakyewaa Glover: To be witnessed
59 minutes -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The CEO’s role in driving leadership accountability early in the year
1 hour -
Bawumia campaigned for NPP in Adenta – Akosua Manu hits back at Kennedy Agyapong
1 hour -
Government’s reset agenda will take time to materialise – Ho Central MP
1 hour -
Police seize over 1,600 parcels of suspected narcotic drugs in major bust
1 hour -
Miguel Ribeiro Fiifi Brandful
1 hour
