By RYAN LUCAS, Associated Press Writer
BERLIN (AP)—Facing questions about her gender, South African teenager Caster Semenya easily won the 800-meter gold medal Wednesday at the world championships.
Semenya’s dominating run came on the same day track and field’s ruling body said she was undergoing a gender test because of concerns she does not meet requirements to compete as a woman.
Semenya took the lead at the halfway mark and opened a commanding lead in the last 400 meters to win by a massive 2.45 seconds in a world-leading 1 minute, 55.45 seconds. Defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei was second and Jennifer Meadows of Britain was third in 1:57.93.
About three weeks ago, the international federation asked South African track and field authorities to conduct the verification test. Semenya had burst onto the scene by posting a world-leading time of 1:56.72 at the African junior championships in Maruitius.
Her dramatic improvement in times, muscular build and deep voice sparked speculation about her gender. Before the race, IAAF spokesman Nick Davies stressed this is a “medical issue, not an issue of cheating.” He said the “extremely complex, difficult” test has begun but results were not expected for weeks.
The test requires a physical medical evaluation and includes reports from a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialist and gender expert.
South Africa team manager Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane would not confirm or deny that Semenya was having such a test.
“We entered Caster as a woman and we want to keep it that way,” Mlangeni-Tsholetsane said. “Our conscience is clear in terms of Caster. We have no reservations at all about that.”
Although medals will be awarded for the 800, the race remains under a cloud until the investigation is closed, and Semenya could be stripped of the gold depending on the test results, IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss said.
“But today there is no proof and the benefit of doubt must always be in favor of the athlete,” Weiss said.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE IS? MALE OR FEMALE?
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
South African teen wins 800 amid gender-test flap
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Mary Wineberg Wins Gold at Olympics in Beijing
I know the Beijing Olympics already passed, but I want to give props to whom props are due. With that being said, CONGRATULATIONS to Mary Wineberg. Here is some information on her:
Mary Wineberg won gold for the United States in the women's 4x400m relay final during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. She joined teammates Allyson Felix, Monique Henderson and Sanya Richards in completing the race in 3:18.54.
A native of Cincinnati, Wineberg was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Omicron Chapter at the University of Cincinnati, where she trained for the race and currently volunteers as a track coach. She was also a star runner at Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, where she first starting competing—and winning.
Capturing the gold medal represents the triumphant high point of a career that began when she was four years old and raced in an annual block party street race in Brooklyn. Wineberg was the only girl in the field. Undaunted, she beat all the boys to win her first trophy for running. This was one of thousands of awards she would win during her career.
She plans to continue competing well into the future and hopes to be a member of the track and field team at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
ST.KITTS IN THE OLYMPICS
FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ST.KITTS, HERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
St. Kitts is located in the Eastern Caribbean at 17 20 North, 62 45 West, roughly 1,200 miles from Miami, 1600 miles from New York, 4,000 miles from London and about 45 minutes by plane from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.The island is 69 square miles with a population of 31,880. Basseterre is the capital.
KIM COLLINS is a sprinter from Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 2003, he became the World Champion in the 100m. At the 2005 Worlds, after struggling somewhat through the rounds, he claimed a bronze medal in the 100 m behind Justin Gatlin and Michael Frater though he was given the same time as the latter.Finishing fourth in his heat, Collins qualified for the finals in the men's 200 m race in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Even though he placed 6, he still deserve an honorable mention.
USAIN BOLT:MR TRACK AND FIELD
I am so proud of this young man. No longer is track and field an American only dominated sport, it includes this young newcomer from Jamaica. I know he is making Jamaica proud.Bolt broke world records in winning the 100 meters (9.69 seconds), 200 meters (19.30) and 400-meter relay (37.10), something no man had done at an Olympics.
