Semenya likely to release test results
Published:Thursday | April 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM
JOHANNESBURG (AP):-
Caster Semenya is likely to release the results of her gender tests herself, according to an Athletics South Africa official.
"I have some suspicion that Caster, herself, will release the results of the medical process," ASA administrator Richard Stander told The Associated Press yesterday.
Stander regards this as a confidential client-doctor relationship between 800-metre World champion Semenya and world athletics body the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF), which oversaw her gender verification tests last year, meaning only Semenya can release them publicly.
"This is how it is done with everyone else," Stander said, "so I don't see why she would be different.
"All over the world everyone is waiting and I think it will be Caster who tells you guys (the media) the results."
Semenya, who has been waiting since August for clearance to run from the IAAF, was left out of South Africa's 56-strong squad for the African Championships in Nairobi beginning on July 28. But the ASA said the 19-year-old athlete can still compete in Kenya, if she is cleared by the IAAF and proves her fitness in time.
Still to show fitness
"This squad is made up of athletes who have competed for the last couple of months," Stander said.
"There are a number of athletes who need to show their fitness and, of course, Caster is one of those. But at the moment she is being cleared."
Stander said Semenya, who has asked the IAAF to commit to releasing her results in early June, will have "ample time" to prove her fitness before the Nairobi event.
Semenya has said she will make her long-awaited return to competitive running at a meet in Spain on June 24.
In yesterday's ASA statement, acting head Ray Mali also hinted there was an opportunity for Semenya to win a place for the African championships.
"Athletes not listed on the national squad announced today, can still qualify for the Confederation of African Athletics Africa Senior Championships provided that they meet the selection criteria during the window period in June and July," Mali said.