Since the media statement hit the public on Caster Semenya in August 2009, our department has been in constant engagement with all stakeholders. The main thrust of our engagement was always to try and get the truth from all role players. This was not easy given the sensitivity of the issues as well as the distance between us and the sport bodies.
The International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF) is in Europe; Athletics South Africa (ASA) is in South Africa but was harder to get the facts from. Perhaps South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) did better in getting closer to the truth because they started the quest for the truth later than all of us. We are pleased to report that government and Caster’s lawyers have reached total agreement with the IAAF on the following issues:
Because Caster has been found to be innocent of any wrong, she will then:
* Retain her gold medal
* Retain her title of 800m World Champions
* Retain her prize money. We have also agreed with the IAAF that whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor. As such there will be no public announcement of what the panel of scientists has found.
We urge all South Africans and other people to respect this professional ethical and moral way of doing things. The implications of the scientific findings on Caster’s health and life going forward will be analysed by Caster and she will make her own decision on her future. Whatever she decides, ours is to respect her decision. We have asked the IAAF to apologise at the way the whole Caster Semenya saga was dealt with. Their response is, “It is deeply regrettable that information of a confidential nature entered the public domain.” The IAAF is adamant that the public discourse did not originate with them.
We also cannot prove the contrary. It is our considered view that this chapter of blame apportioning must now be closed. The sport bodies must be allowed to deal with the rest of the investigations in terms of their own regulations.
The next step will see scientists of the world (including South African specialists) deal with the relevant branches of science. This we hope, will assist sport institutions regulate gender and fairness issues in competitions.
Our department want to thank the law firm (Dewey and LeBoeuf (Pty) Ltd) who stepped forward pro bono when the need to protect the rights and dignity of our golden girl arose. May many professionals emulate this step. We also wish to say words of appreciation to South Africans (old and young, black or white) who showed solidarity and support for our daughter. This was ubuntu in action. Like every cloud, Caster’s experience will have a silver lining for our athletes, for female athletes and for Competitive sport. Let us all strive towards that.
Issued by: Sport and Recreation South Africa
19 November 2009
