It was obvious from the beginning, to me anyway, that ASA was the real fuck up here, not IAAF. IAAF was right to ask for an inquiry into Semenya, and ASA is the one who lied to the world (and to Semenya herself), and allowed Semenya to compete even though they knew she would be questioned.
It's really sad that she will likely not be able to compete against women any more, but I still think it would be even MORE unfair to the other women who would have to compete against someone with exponentially more testosterone. #leonardchuenesuspended
Sex testing. Sex. Not gender. Semenya's gender was never in dispute. The BBC may be correct in many things, but about this they are not. I'd love it if Jezebel could buck the misinformation trend and use the correct terminology. Surely we owe that, at the very least, to Caster Semenya. #leonardchuenesuspended
I'm just glad it's not an Olympic year, and that this can pass so that (hopefully) it's not (or at least only a small) part of the discussion when she goes for gold in London. Athletes are the subject of enough scrutiny; no athlete needs this type of scrutiny. #leonardchuenesuspended
So they're punishing the person who lied about whether or not she was actually tested. Okay. What about the person who leaked the results of that test to the media? Because I'm a little more concerned about the complete disregard for her privacy than the actual testing. #leonardchuenesuspended
Oh, so a (very late) apology, and a (*) suspension, and all's forgiven, right? The (*) is meant to indicate the probably embarassingly paltry nature of the actual suspension. Like he's probably still getting paid and all. Lame. Way to fail, people. I'd like to take Caster out for a beer and make her laugh until her belly hurts. I have a feeling she could use some of that after being dragged through such utter shit. #leonardchuenesuspended
This situation is just so unfortunate and my heart goes out to her and her family. I can't imagine the betrayal and confusion she must feel.
Sometimes, when I read about these incredible (and really young) athletes, I feel like their actually being treated like property. There are tons of handlers looking for their own glory, sure, but I never imagined that something so personal as gender would be used in such a manner. #leonardchuenesuspended
@SomeAuthorGirl: In hindsight, I think the word I most prefer for this is commodity. Obviously, no one wants to compare a high class athlete with a victim of human trafficking, but look at all the athletic programs where young children are plucked from their homes to start training at an early age. Those dudes and dudettes don't have a say in where they live, what they eat, when they train or what they study (if they study?).
And I suppose that's just the way the system works, but bringing somebody's GENDER into it and using a secret test with concealed results for your own gain (as a handler) is just motherfucking wack.
[Edit]: I should being saying "sex" instead of "gender" because I'm a lame-ass who should do my own damn research before trusting the BBC.
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11/06/09
It's really sad that she will likely not be able to compete against women any more, but I still think it would be even MORE unfair to the other women who would have to compete against someone with exponentially more testosterone. #leonardchuenesuspended
11/05/09
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although, i dont know what else they CAN do. other than making sure this shit doesnt happen again. #leonardchuenesuspended
11/05/09
Sometimes, when I read about these incredible (and really young) athletes, I feel like their actually being treated like property. There are tons of handlers looking for their own glory, sure, but I never imagined that something so personal as gender would be used in such a manner. #leonardchuenesuspended
11/05/09
I like what you said about young athletes being treated as property. #leonardchuenesuspended
11/05/09
And I suppose that's just the way the system works, but bringing somebody's GENDER into it and using a secret test with concealed results for your own gain (as a handler) is just motherfucking wack.
[Edit]: I should being saying "sex" instead of "gender" because I'm a lame-ass who should do my own damn research before trusting the BBC.
Sorry, friends.
10/23/09
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