IAAF wants to talk to Semenya

JOHANNESBURG – The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) urgently want to talk to Caster Semenya, but are apparently being prevented from doing so by Athletics South Africa (ASA).

The IAAF confirmed on Wednesday that it has received the results of gender testing done on Semenya.It will only be made public once experts have scrutinised it and Semenya has been informed.IAAF spokesperson Nick Davies said from Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday night that experts had to review the results due to its sensitive matter. The tests were done at last month’s world athletics championships in Germany.’We can’t afford any mistakes, particularly as we already face threats to be taken to the United Nations Human Rights Council and because it has become a political matter in South Africa,’ he said.Davies said that requests from the IAAF directed at ASA to contact Semenya had fallen on deaf ears.’ASA’s actions can have serious consequences for Semenya if we are not able to speak to her soon. In short, it will come down to her refusing to co-operate.’Had it been a drugs issue, she would have been suspended a long time ago, but this is a unique problem for which the IAAF’s rules do not make provision. It is important for us to talk to her about the results of the tests.’Davies added that no tests were done on Semenya in South Africa, in spite of South African team doctor Harold Adams ordering that it should be done.Beeld understands that Semenya had been tested in Pretoria prior to the South African team’s departure to the world championships, but that the findings were possibly not communicated with the IAAF.Davies also said that the manner in which ASA were handling the matter could become a huge problem over the next few weeks.He added that ASA president Leonard Chuene had spread so many untruths about the IAAF’s handling of the matter that it will be a major embarrassment for him when the facts are revealed.’Chuene may have no other option than resigning as president of ASA,’ he said.Davies said it was regrettable that ASA allowed politicians to get involved without having the facts at their disposal.Semenya will keep the gold medal she won in Berlin as well as the $60 000 (R450 000) prize money, irrespective of the results. – Sport24.com