A South African track star, Caster Semenya, is facing questions of whether she is a man or a woman. Is it racism?
Here's the background:
About three weeks ago, the international federation asked South
African track and field authorities to conduct the verification test.
Semenya had burst onto the scene by posting a world-leading time of
1:56.72 at the African junior championships in Mauritius.Her dramatic improvement in times, muscular build and deep voice
sparked speculation about her gender. Ideally, any dispute surrounding
an athlete is dealt with before a major competition. But Semenya's
stunning rise from unknown teenage runner to the favourite in the 800
happened almost overnight. That meant the gender test - which takes
several weeks - could not be completed in time.Before the race, IAAF spokesman Nick Davies stressed this is a
"medical issue, not an issue of cheating." He said the "extremely
complex" testing has begun. The process requires a physical medical
evaluation and includes reports from a gynecologist, endocrinologist,
psychologist, internal medicine specialist and gender expert.
Now comes the rub, as reported by the Tribune:
South African steeplechaser Ruben Ramolefi suggested there might be traces of old prejudices toward Africa underlying the criticism.``The question I ask is if this were a European person, would these
questions be raised?" Ramolefi said. ``It seems there is hypocrisy
behind it."
You don't have to wonder. During the Cold War, East German and female athletes from other Soviet bloc countries were constantly accused of being males. It almost was as routine as the lighting of the Olympic flame.
Which leads to another question: Does everything always have to be about race?
Filed under: Race
Tags: Africa, Caster Semenya, racism, Ruben Ramolefi, track and field
Doesn't sound like a racial issue to me... at all. And yes I think this is a man from what I've heard and read. Will be interesting to see for sure.
I think that the problem with the East German women was that they were roided up, not that they weren't women. Not even pro wrestling wants another Chynna today.
Since most African runners are black, and Kenyans usually win marathons, it isn't about race.
Nope, actually there is a long history of gender testing in the Olympics. Here's some background:
Reuter's "FactBox" has some history: http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE57J41820090820?sp=true
Here's one paper from Medscape Women's Health: http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/OlympicGenderTesting.html
Google "olympics gender testing" or "olympics gender verification" and you'll find a lot more.
I didn't say there wasn't gender testing. However, the sources you cite don't mention the Germans. If you want to Google something, try east german steroids woman. Although the first reference is "Athlete says sports steroids changed him from woman to man."
The only way I perceive this could be about race is that African women have the potential to be more muscular and can have broader facial features. This can stress some people's narrow view of what can be considered feminine. Critics can argue that this is a case of being prejudiced against and not understanding the female African physique. BUT I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE.
When this story began, I was ready to defend Caster (she's innocent of course. This is Nature, not human will at work. This is more than muscle development). However, after research and studying copious photos of her, I'm convinced that there has to be a genetic abnormality. She does most likely have an extra chromosome.
I've seen women bodybuilders and while adding excess muscle to a female form can be rather grotesque and disfiguring, this doesn't look like that at all. This looks like there is no female body at all (although she likely lacks testes or else her family wouldn't say she's a girl). The narrow hips of a man, the bulky waist leading up to broad shoulders and chests with absolutely no breasts, the prominent jaw, the voice. I would cite the mannerisms, but that's more socialized than genetic. There is a genetic/hormone irregularity here.
I've seen female body builders almost lose their breasts, but they retain an indented waist and some semblance of womanhood, no matter how out of place. Caster at 18 should be in the throes of budding womanhood but we see none of that. I've seen female gymnasts that become broad shouldered and lose their female hourglass and breasts, but this is something very very different. It is way more extreme. Fascinating, really.
I don't agree with banning in cases of extra chromosomes. I think the judges should make decisions on where to race such people. They deserve to compete. Today's sense of sexuality should be more liberal and fluid.
Synthia,
My thoughts from examining Semenya's pictures are exactly the same as yours. And I also agree with your conclusion that the family (and I would add the SA sports officials) would not be so smug about proclaiming she was a girl if she displayed a p*nis and testes.
I think, however, that if she has what can be categorized as a male muscular build, then she should be barred from competing with women. You don't run with your v*gina, you run with your muscles.
There could also be another explanation to her current male visual aspect, if she is indeed a woman with female sexual organs and genitalia. This could be a result, if not totally, than partially produced by giving her hormones and drugs. It has been done before.
It was reported in the media that "the IAAF requested the gender test about three weeks ago after Semenya burst onto the scene by slicing her personal bests in the 800 and 1,500 by huge margins.
IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said the
As for racism or sexism? Please.
In the 1976 Olympics, there was a reason why milky white, blonde Eastern European female athletes had deep voices, male-like musculature, little mustaches, and incredibly powerful performances. That reason was not pretty. Yes, they were women, but they were
This isn't a case of doping or steroids. The IAAF has conceded it's a medical and biological issue.
So, no blame needs to fall anywhere -- unless one wishes to blame the Universe.
I do see now where the test had been requested 3 weeks ago. Thank you.
I've seen many places where people are citing decades old cases of European runners being subjected to testing to douse accusations of those who cry racism.
However, I also read a thought-provoking piece yesterday that questioned why the current holder of the record for the women's 800m was not subjected to testing. If you look at her pictures, this Czech woman (Jarmila Kratochv
Related paper - East Germany's monstrous doping program
This is the contextual background for Ekkart Arbeit, SA Athletics head coach, who claims he went clean after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
For a fascinating read on the subject:
http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/43/7/1262
Hormonal doping and androgenization of athletes: a secret program of the German Democratic Republic government
Werner W. Franke1,a and Brigitte Berendonk2
1 Division of Cell Biology/0110, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
2 H
Not a racial matter? The Guardian, of course, reports that it is.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/23/caster-semenya-athletics-gender
I read the Guardian article. It merely presents the perspective of her home community. It doesn't take a direct stance. The article's title is even in parentheses.
I do think it is interesting to question what subconscious reasons could be behind the desire to subjugate discussion of her amazing race and athletic performance to the gender drama.
If one says well, she looks so masculine that she has a biological advantage, then they should have tested her before. I don't buy the arguments that they didn't have time. They could have started the tests and be waiting now for the results.
Instead, the committee only became interested in testing after her win. The combination of this runner and this amazing win triggered something. Why is that? The psychology is interesting. Had she performed badly perhaps they would not have requested it.
I thought the Guardian article was worth reading.