Caster Semenya won the women’s 800 meter run at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin. She dominated in her race and won by 2.45 seconds over a field of world class athletes.
The victory is mired in controversy. Some are questioning whether Caster Semenya is actually a woman. The musculature, the deep voice and running style are cited as evidence that “she” indeed might be a “he”. There are calls for a gender test:
“…Prof Jeffrey Zajac, head of the Austin Hospital endocrinology unit, said there were several tests that could be done to establish a person’s sex.He said the gender tests would include a chromosomal analysis, hormone measurement, an external genital examination and an assessment of the sex glands.”
link: Caster Semenya sex test is ‘complicated’ says Jeffrey Zajac
Further than the medical assessment and the endocrinology evaluation, there would a review by a panel of gender experts. Caster Semenya’s family do not question her gender.
Drug testing in sports has become common place, accepted as part of the routine. Perhaps gender testing will one day follow. It might become necessary to prove one’s innocence at the DNA level.
Somewhere in the heavens George Orwell must be smiling.
Catherine Forsythe
[DNA Image via Wikimedia]
[image of Caster Semenya courtesy Athletics South Africa]
[...] This post was Twitted by katriord [...]