Caster Semenya was cleared to return to competitive athletics by the IAAF on Tuesday, ending an 11-month layoff while she underwent gender verification tests after becoming the 800-meter world champion.“The process initiated in 2009 in the case of Caster Semenya has now been completed,” Athletics’ world governing body said in a statement. “The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts that she can compete with immediate effect.”
Semenya released a statement saying she was happy to be able to race again.
“I am thrilled to enter the global athletics arena once again and look forward to competing with all the disputes behind me.” Semenya said.
The IAAF said the medical details of the 19-year-old South African’s case would remain confidential and it will make no further comment on the matter.
It is still unclear if the runner has undergone any medical procedure or treatment during her lengthy layoff that allows her to keep running as a woman, or what the conditions of the settlement are.
Richard Stander of Athletics South Africa said Semenya would now be considered for the world junior championships starting July 19 in Moncton, Canada, pending a fitness test in Pretoria on Wednesday as requested by ASA.
However, Stander said the African championships in Kenya in late July and the Commonwealth Games in India in October were more realistic targets for Semenya’s return considering her long absence from competition.
“Of course we are happy,” Stander said. “When an athlete cannot compete, it is frustrating for them and frustrating for us as a federation.”
Semenya had earlier spoken to The Associated Press by phone soon after the IAAF’s decision was released.
Semenya’s lawyers said in a statement that the negotiations with the IAAF had been lengthy and held all over the world after she had been “stopped” from competing.
“Our direct negotiations with the IAAF representatives, through the mediator, have been ongoing for 10 months,” said Greg Nott, Managing Partner of Dewey and LeBoeuf’s Johannesburg office and one of Semenya’s closest advisers.
“Meetings have been held in Monaco, Istanbul and Paris, but due to the nature of the matter the parties resolved to keep the negotiations confidential.”
The dispute was mediated by Brian Currin, a South African lawyer specializing in labor law and civil and human rights.
“We are delighted that Caster is finally being permitted to compete with other women, as is her legal and natural right,” said Jeffrey Kessler, Dewey and LeBoeuf’s Global Litigation Chairman.
“Hopefully, this resolution will set a precedent so that no female athlete in the future will have to experience the long delays and public scrutiny which Caster has been forced to endure.”
South Africa’s Olympic governing body also welcomed the news.
“This will give both her and her coach Michael Seme the opportunity to carry on with their lives, both athletically and privately,” SASCOC president Gideon Sam said, “and allow them to be able to plan ahead without having this affair constantly hanging over their heads.”Earlier, Semenya’s father said his daughter had told him on Tuesday morning she was going to be cleared to return to athletics.
Jacob Semenya said she was happy and was waiting for the formal announcement allowing her to return to competition following the controversial gender tests last year.
“She told me she doesn’t have any problems and she is happy,” Jacob said.
The announcement has brought the saga to an end after the teenage athlete burst onto the world scene in Berlin where she dominated to win gold in her first major event. However, her dramatic improvement in times and muscular build led the IAAF to order the gender verification tests.
Tests showed that controversial runner Caster Semenya is a woman ...and a man! The 18-year-old South African champ has no womb or ovaries and her testosterone levels are more than three times higher than those of a normal female, according to reports.
