14 DAY TRIAL // Caster Semenya, the 18-year-old athlete who became the 800m world champion in August, has been shown to have both male and female organs following gender testing demanded by The International Association of Athletics Federations. The official results of the tests have yet to be made public, but reports coming form inside the IAAF claim that, when they are revealed, they will show that Semenya is a hermaphrodite, the New York Daily News informs.
Speculation on the athlete’s gender first started when one of the other women in the competition told the media, at the end of it, that she had been defeated by a man. The theories that were immediately put into circulation were that either Caster was a man who had posed as a woman to win the title (not unheard of in sports), or that she had a genetic condition. The latter turned out to be the case, and experts are now said to be considering urging her to have surgery for the condition that can be extremely dangerous for her health.
“Tests show that controversial runner Caster Semenya is a woman ... and a man! The 18-year-old South African champ has no womb or ovaries and her testosterone levels are more than three times higher than those of a normal female, according to reports. The tests, ordered by The International Association of Athletics Federations after Semenya’s 800-meter victory in the World Championships, determined she’s a hermaphrodite – having both male and female organs.” the aforementioned publication writes.
The report is now pending confirmation from the IAAF, which is expected to come sometime in the following days. Also with it will come a recommendation that she undergo surgery as soon as possible, since the condition can badly affect her health, the same report says. Semenya was not available for comment at the time the report made its way into the media, but chances are she will keep mum on the subject until the Association makes the official results of the tests public.
“I am who I am and I am proud of myself. I’d like to dress up more often and wear dresses but I never get the chance. I’d also like to learn to do my own makeup.” Caster was saying in a recent interview with national glossy magazine YOU, where she was also featured after a “girlie” makeover.