South Africans defend Semenya
Stofile leapt to Semenya’s defence after allegations in the Australian press yesterday that the 18-year-old, who won the gold medal in the 800 metres in Berlin last month, was a hermaphrodite. Asked what the South African reaction would be if the IAAF prevent Semenya from competing again, Stofile said: “I think it would be the third world war. We will go to the highest levels in contesting such a decision. I think it would be totally unfair and totally unjust.”
The IAAF commissioned a gender test on the teenager after her performance levels improved remarkably in the build-up to the competition in Germany. Now Australian media is claiming the tests have shown that Semenya has both male and female sexual characteristics. Stofile denied the claim and also expressed his disgust at the way the news came out.
