The point of competitive sports is to allow people to show that their talent, their drive and their spirit can conquer adversity. To allow Semenya to keep the gold medal does a disservice to every woman who participated in that event.
Semenya is a hermaphrodite, not a woman. If we are simply talking about social interaction and gender identity, Semenya can choose a gender and stay with it. If Semenya wants to identify as a woman, then "she" is free to do so regardless of biology. She can have further surgery if she feels it necessary.
However, we aren't talking about simple matters of gender identity. We are talking about (1) a birth condition that her parents were likely aware of, (2) a physiological advantage that is a disqualifying factor by the rules of the competition and (3) at least an inference that someone, somewhere knew or should have known that this might have been a factor yet chose to conceal it.
Semenya is a hermaphrodite, not a woman. If we are simply talking about social interaction and gender identity, Semenya can choose a gender and stay with it. If Semenya wants to identify as a woman, then "she" is free to do so regardless of biology. She can have further surgery if she feels it necessary.
However, we aren't talking about simple matters of gender identity. We are talking about (1) a birth condition that her parents were likely aware of, (2) a physiological advantage that is a disqualifying factor by the rules of the competition and (3) at least an inference that someone, somewhere knew or should have known that this might have been a factor yet chose to conceal it.
You can also write that as "Stalin" *MySmiley*
This message last edited by Сталин on 11/09/2009 at 04:10:35 PM
Caster Semenya has male sex organs and no womb or ovaries
11/09/2009 12:24:30 PM
- 1370 Views
I think revoking the championship and a ban at this point would be plain wrong
11/09/2009 02:01:15 PM
- 743 Views
I agree it's not her fault, but she shouldn't keep her championship.
11/09/2009 03:50:06 PM
- 709 Views
I disagree
11/09/2009 04:09:50 PM
- 1063 Views
As bad as if feel for the athlete, I agree. *NM*
11/09/2009 04:46:57 PM
- 348 Views
Ditto. Assuming she never knew about it, which remains to be seen. *NM*
11/09/2009 08:08:29 PM
- 330 Views
To the extent that LadyLorraine means "at this point", I do agree with her...
11/09/2009 05:03:34 PM
- 793 Views
Sounds like she/he is more dude than chick.....
11/09/2009 02:42:33 PM
- 795 Views
not really. it only takes ONE mistake to cause her problems.
12/09/2009 03:19:06 AM
- 735 Views
I think it is a sad story
11/09/2009 04:34:29 PM
- 797 Views
I can't believe this whole thing is public
11/09/2009 07:03:59 PM
- 834 Views
How could she not know something was different? Not developing a period would be a major sign. *NM*
11/09/2009 09:21:54 PM
- 344 Views
Not necessarily, depending on the rigors of her athletic training. *NM*
11/09/2009 09:26:32 PM
- 322 Views
When do most girls get their first period? Around 12 or 13?
12/09/2009 07:34:23 AM
- 652 Views
I didn't start until I was 17 *NM*
12/09/2009 03:02:28 PM
- 322 Views
There are plenty of runners who do hard training that keeps them from getting a regular period
11/09/2009 09:29:24 PM
- 760 Views
Not at the age when a girl first develops her period.
12/09/2009 07:36:24 AM
- 742 Views
You have an odd understanding of what's normal...
12/09/2009 02:51:37 PM
- 787 Views
people develop 30lb tumors and never go to get them checked out
11/09/2009 09:36:18 PM
- 778 Views
Well, now that you put it that way I guess I could see that. *NM*
12/09/2009 07:37:18 AM
- 320 Views