/ 17 September 2009

ASA boss to look into Semenya test claims

Athletics South Africa (ASA) boss Leonard Chuene is investigating claims that athlete Caster Semenya was duped into undergoing gender tests, the Star reported on Thursday.

”On the basis of all these [claims], I will quickly be contacting all the people making these allegations so that they can inform me,” Chuene said.

”We will make a follow-up on those names to establish what tests were done and by whom, when and how.”

Until now, Chuene has denied that gender tests were done on Semenya without informing her what the tests were about.

Meanwhile, ASA is expected to appear before the National Assembly’s sport committee to explain its role in Semenya saga.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) insisted that gender tests be conducted on Semenya after she won the 800m world championships in Berlin last month.

Since then, accusations have been flying around that ASA should have pre-empted that she would be tested; and more recently, there are claims that ASA did test her — but without her knowledge.

The team’s doctor, Harold Adams, who has been uncontactable since the Berlin race, apparently recommended to ASA that Semenya not participate in Berlin.

Her coach, Wilfred Daniels, has resigned amidst the controversy, saying ASA duped her into going for gender tests. — Sapa