Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) wishes to register its disappointment at the gender controversy surrounding Caster Semenya at the World Athletics Championships taking place in Berlin.
SRSA fully supports Semenya in her attempt to win the Women's 800 m final this evening and hope that the controversy will not distract her. She has already proven what a classy athlete she is and it is now time for her to show the world that she has a much bigger heart than we give her credit for.
We have no reason to doubt that Athletics South Africa (ASA) would send a male athlete to compete as a female or vice versa, in any championship. As we celebrate Women's Month, we hope that South Africans will rally behind Semenya and show the world that we support our own.
Enquiries:
Manase Makwela
Cell: 082 782 1759
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
19 August 2009