Caster Semenya, what to do

[Archaea]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl..._semenya_.html

In one sense, it would seem quite unfair to strip Caster of the medal won, as anything unique about Caster is not Caster's intentional doing.

I note Caster is being advised to seek surgery to eliminate the internal testes. OTOH, I wonder if the genetic condition has enabled Caster competitively.

[MikeWaters]

Internal testes like that are removed due to the risk of cancer.

It's a real conundrum on what to do.

If you look at her, she looks very masculine, and the reason for that, in my mind, is testosterone. I have no doubt that she has a natural chemical advantage, being in some blended state of male/female.

I don't have a problem if she stays on and owns every record and wins every race. Of course, in my mind, I would attach an asterisk to her accomplishments.

[MikeWaters]

This may not actually be news to Semenya (kind of an unfortunate name, no?). She may have already known of her condition, but kept it secret.

In America it would be rare for a woman of her age to not know about her condition on this basis: she has never menstruated. She has no uterus, therefore no lining to shed. For most girls/women, this would be something that would lead to medical workup.

Having said that, she apparently grew up in poor circumstances, and may not have ever seen a medical professional re: her amenorrhea.

On the other hand, this may have been a conspiracy.

I thought it was interesting that a South African official threatened "World War Three" over this. Slight hyperbole.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

This may not actually be news to Semenya (kind of an unfortunate name, no?). She may have already known of her condition, but kept it secret.

In America it would be rare for a woman of her age to not know about her condition on this basis: she has never menstruated. She has no uterus, therefore no lining to shed. For most girls/women, this would be something that would lead to medical workup.

Having said that, she apparently grew up in poor circumstances, and may not have ever seen a medical professional re: her amenorrhea.

On the other hand, this may have been a conspiracy.

I thought it was interesting that a South African official threatened "World War Three" over this. Slight hyperbole.

South African officials knew and deceived.

Fraud.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/09/19/...ene/index.html