The Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation will lodge a complaint with the United Nations' High Commissioner of Human Rights to investigate the gross and severe undermining of rights and privacy of South African athlete Caster Semenya by the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF).
The humiliation of Semenya was a sign of sexist action by IAAF as it undermined the achievements of women. It is a very gross action that gives an impression that the IAAF only recognises good things when they are done by men.
It is unfortunate that this incident happens at a time when South Africa profiles the achievements of women and promotes consciousness for women's rights during the month of August.
There are many female white athletes taking part in the competition who look like men but there is no upheaval, they were never subjected to such a condition. This action by IAAF is both sexist and racist. Just because she is black and she surpassed her European competitors, there is all this uproar.
When Caster comes back home we will welcome her as a heroine, she is our heroine, despite all the controversy.
The committee would also like to praise the President of Athletics South Africa Mr Leonard Chuene for defending the rights of Semenya.
Enquiries:
Sakhile Mokoena
Tel: 021 403 2340
Cell: 082 364 3633
E-mail: smokoena@parliament.gov.za
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
22 August 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za/)
