It’s hard to imagine a case more tragic than that of Caster Semenya.
Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about the 18-year-old runner, and it has now emerged that the doctor of the South African athletics team, Harold Adams, and Athletics South Africa (ASA) boss Leonard Chuene knew there would be controversy if Semenya competed in Berlin.
The M&G on September 18 published the contents of an email sent by Adams to ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo and copied to Chuene on August 5 — 10 days ahead of the athletics meeting.
It reads: “After thinking about the current confidential matter I would suggest that we make the following decisions. 1. We get a gynae opinion and take it to Berlin. 2. We do nothing and I will handle these issues if they come up in Berlin. Please think and get back to me ASAP.”
An emailed response from Malehopo to Adams, sent on the same day, reads: “I will suggest that you go ahead with the necessary tests that the IAAF might need.”
Why the rush to race? Surely it would have been better to clear the matter up before Berlin.
Chuene has shown a singular lack of leadership and if it is confirmed that he lied, then he should be dumped from his post immediately.
There’s something about the words ” We do nothing … ” that smacks of someone trying to evade and issue.
| FULL SPEED AHEAD |
NOT SO FAST |
Keith Floyd
A posthumous award for the original TV chef, who died this week at 65. His rough and ready style of cooking and his passion for food and life endeared him to millions. |
 Leonard Chuene
Athletics South Africa boss Leonard Chuene denies that gender tests were conducted on Caster Semenya. The M&G now has an email that shows he knew about the tests. |
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September 10 to 16 2009
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