The gender controversy regarding Caster Semenya continues. It involves governments, athletic governing bodies and even the United Nations. The unfortunate fact is that a resolution has not been reached:
“Track and field’s world governing body has begun trying to devise new rules about who can compete as a woman. This comes nearly two months after being presented with the case of Caster Semenya, the South African runner whose sex was questioned when she won the 800-meter world championship.”
link: The Sex of Athletes: One Issue, Many Variables
While this matter of gender is analysed and debated, Caster Semenya waits. She has no idea when she will compete again or whether she will be allowed to compete.
A track athlete’s opportunity to perform at potential is a precariously small time frame. Sometimes, a injury may derail that opportunity. For Caster Semenya, it is simply uncertainty. And as more and more time passes, the matter may resolve itself. Caster Semenya will not be able to perform at a world class level and the debate will become mute, at least temporarily.
Then the injustice to Caster Semenya will be irreparable.
Catherine Forsythe
[Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images]
