Imagine being able to run fast enough to break a world record, or just fast enough to be able to compete in the Olympics at all. Caster Semenya was able to do both of those things. Semenya is an 18 year old runner from South Africa, who blew everyone away in Berlin at the World Track and Field Championships in August. She won the 800 meter race by a wide margin of over 2 seconds, with a time of 1 minute and 55:45 seconds. Once she came into the Olympic track scene, people started to question her gender. It wasn't until after she won Worlds and set that unbelievable record that she was subjected to taking the gender tests. "The gender test, which requires a physical medical evaluation, and includes reports from a gynecologist, endocrineologist, psychologist an internal medicine specialist and an expert on gender." (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/32477147/ns/sports-olympic_sports//) That is a lot of tests for an 18 year old to be subjected to, and not to mention the fact that they didn't tell her the reason for all of this testing. Semenya found out through the media. The only reason Semenya could be built like that -unless the tests prove she actually is indeed a man - is because of a condition called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. This is an endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands produce abnormally high levels of hormones, meaning that she could have unusally high amounts of testosterone produced in her body, and still be considered a woman.
Hearing about this did bother me a great amount, because the only reason they are subjecting her to these tests is because of the way she looks, and because she broke a world record. If she looked a little more feminine, or she was an average runner these tests wouldn't be going on. It was said in the article that people were questioning her gender from the time she came into the Olympic scene, but would it really matter to anyone if she wasn't as good of a runner. Caster is 18 and a great athlete. She trains hard just like any other person would have to, but now just because of the way she looks her hard work and dedication is being questioned.
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This whole thing is troubling to me, also. I figured some type of women's rights...or even better civil rights activists would have been protesting this. I hope this doesn't break her spirits because I'm sure she has a couple of more records to break!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely ridiculous and a shame. The way that she had to find out through the media why she was being subjected to all of these tests is nothing less than disgusting. It must be very hard for her, an 18 year old woman, to handle this
ReplyDeletekind of negative publicity after accomplishing such an amazing feat. I think it would be extremely difficult for anyone to handle something like this.
I really enjoyed this blog! I was really ashamed of the testing and thought that it was extremely unfair to not even tell her about the testing. Its a shame that an 18 year old runner is being under such a strong microscope. She should have the freedom just like every other women runner. I hope that they become more fairer with all runners and athletes that participate in the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely that these tests are an encroachment on her rights as a human being. They took it to another level and decided to segregate her for her appearance and try to tarnish her name and accomplishments by putting this shroud of negativity over her during the course of these investigations. She might not be the most feminine woman in the world, but I really dont suspect she is actually a man or that she was in any way cheating—and even if she was the physical repercussions would have been punishment enough. I think this is evidence of how we are entering a time where peoples rights are much easier to violate and we need to stand up for ourselves by standing up for people like Caster who worked hard to get where she is.
ReplyDeleteThis is just another case of how important sports can be to some people. People get lost in the media when you hear about a superstar or a athlete. For example, Miley Cyrus is on E caught on tape making out with a male by the beach. We all forget she is 16 years old!!! Thats pretty lame for them to be videotaping that at all. This women/teen looks different so they want to test her. Forget about the gold medal, this poor girl can turn on the tv and see people talking about how manly she looks. I dont think anybody can not be hurt by such harsh opinions. Anyway, I think that rules are rules, but this could have been settled in a way where a 18 yr old girl doesn'y feel like a monster.
ReplyDeleteI am SOOOOO happy that you wrote about Semenya. I obviously am a runner and its surprising how many people dont know about her. But i really liked what you had to say it is really sad these days that people just cant except the fact that a woman is actually really really really good at something. Granted she was young, but still! What is the big deal! They have talent and they practice practice practice, so what if they have a problem, they are living their lives. What does her winning or losing matter to any of us anyways, it should be about her and her wants and needs not about her disorder or gender in question.
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