/ 10 September 2009

IAAF seeks Semenya over gender tests

Athletics governing body the IAAF has received the results of Caster Semenya’s gender tests and is trying to get in contact with her, Beeld reported on Thursday.

The results will only be made public once other experts have studied them and the athlete has been informed, IAAF spokesperson Nick Davies told the newspaper from Switzerland.

Davies said ”we can’t afford to make any mistakes” because Semenya’s case has become an international human rights issue and ”because it’s become a political issue in South Africa”.

According to Davies, the IAAF’s requests to Athletics South Africa to get in touch with Semenya have fallen on deaf ears.

”ASA’s actions can have serious consequences for Semenya if we don’t get to speak to her soon. It comes down to her not wanting to cooperate.”

He said it is a ”unique problem” and the IAAF has no rules on how to handle it.

”It’s important for us to discuss the results of the tests with her,” he was quoted as saying.

Semenya won gold in the 800m race at the world championships in Berlin last month. — Sapa