South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has been asked to take a gender test to ascertain whether she is allowed to race as a woman, it has been revealed.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has demanded the test, which will involve a complex series of investigations from a group of doctors including an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist.
According to IAAF secretary general Pierre Weiss, the test – which has already begun - was requested three weeks ago, although the news was only confirmed by the governing body late yesterday just hours before 18-year-old Semenya ran in the 800m final at the World Championships in Berlin.
Weiss defended the timing of the announcement, however, claiming 'no one could have anticipated' the teenager's rise to international fame over the past month.
'She was unknown three weeks ago,' he said.
'We are fast but we are not a lion.'
Semenya cruised to gold in Berlin yesterday, more than two seconds clear of defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei with Great Britain's Jenny Meadows taking bronze.
Her time of one minutes 55.45 seconds was a new personal best - a full second better than the time she set last month as she broke Zola Budd's long-standing South African record over the distance.
Weiss admitted the standings would have to be amended if the tests showed Semenya is technically a man, however.
He added: 'If it is proved that she is not a female, she will be withdrawn and the medals revised.
'At the moment, the athlete must be given the benefit of the doubt.'
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has demanded the test, which will involve a complex series of investigations from a group of doctors including an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist.
According to IAAF secretary general Pierre Weiss, the test – which has already begun - was requested three weeks ago, although the news was only confirmed by the governing body late yesterday just hours before 18-year-old Semenya ran in the 800m final at the World Championships in Berlin.
Weiss defended the timing of the announcement, however, claiming 'no one could have anticipated' the teenager's rise to international fame over the past month.
'She was unknown three weeks ago,' he said.
'We are fast but we are not a lion.'
Semenya cruised to gold in Berlin yesterday, more than two seconds clear of defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei with Great Britain's Jenny Meadows taking bronze.
Her time of one minutes 55.45 seconds was a new personal best - a full second better than the time she set last month as she broke Zola Budd's long-standing South African record over the distance.
Weiss admitted the standings would have to be amended if the tests showed Semenya is technically a man, however.
He added: 'If it is proved that she is not a female, she will be withdrawn and the medals revised.
'At the moment, the athlete must be given the benefit of the doubt.'
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