Media reports on the proposal by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to establish special medical centres around the world to deal with cases of athletes with ambiguous sexual characteristics is a positive and welcome move. Equally supported, is the identification of a need for sports bodies to put into place rules to determine the eligibility on a case by case basis of athletes whose gender is called into question.
The controversy that surrounded Caster Semenya’s 800 m World Championship victory in Berlin last year, clearly opened our eyes to the reality that there are no conclusive answers to matters relating to gender in sport.
This is because there are no conclusive rules and definitions of such matters. That is why we have as Ministry of Sport and Recreation, always added our voice to the call for the development of such definitions and rules. We therefore fully support and welcome the initiatives by the IOC.
We trust that the IOC initiatives will enable our South African scientists, whose services are being utilised the world over, to play an even more critical role in putting to rest any ambiguities or concerns that may be raised against any of our athletes.
Enquiries:
Manase Makwela
Cell: 082 782 1759
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
24 January 2010
