Christian Group Applauds Sex Testing of South African Runner
MADISON, Wisc. -- Caster Semenya (South Africa) captured the gold medal in the 800 meters at the recent World Championships in Berlin. Her time of 1:55.45 was impressive for the 18 year-old who had mediocre times the previous year.
In Britain, the BBC and the Daily Telegraph newspapers reported that Semenya's testosterone levels were three times higher than normal, prompting the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) to investigate the sex of Semenya.
The tests will take weeks to complete. Tests will include a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, an internal medicine specialist, and a gender expert.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela, said that people do not have the right to question Caster Semenya's biological make-up. Others say that racism is the reason for the required tests.
The liberal San Francisco-based National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) says the IAAF should "stay out of Caster Semenya's pants". "Your efforts to make champion Caster Semenya 'prove' she is a woman are shameful and unnecessary, and undermine the integrity and dignity of women athletes."
4 WINDS commends the IAAF for conducting future tests on Caster Semenya. In 2003, 4 WINDS was the only Christian organization protesting the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow transgender athletes in the Olympics after sexual reassignment surgery.
4 WINDS is not implying that Semenya is an athlete who is purposely cheating, but may be a victim of circumstances. We believe compassion is important, however, chromosome make-up should be the determining factor in these situations. When an athlete enters the international level, some rights are lost.
4 WINDS believes sex tests should start in all Olympic sports. The IOC should begin sex testing again. 4 WINDS believes an athletes' chromosome make-up should be the determining factor in decisions on sex. If these lines get blurred, future record assaults in athletic events will become prevalent.
The tests on Caster Semenya may prove to be normal, which is what 4 WINDS hopes for. However, when an athlete enters international competition, some rights will be lost. For example, drug tests occur on a regular basis.
'Blade runner' Oscar Pistorius, another South African, had to have his prosthetic devices tested in his quest to make the 2008 Olympic team. He was eventually cleared to compete on the international level.
At 18 years of age, Caster Semenya is capable of breaking the world-record in the 800 meters. Semenya could run under 1:50, breaking the world record by over three seconds. It is imperative that tests be conducted properly.
Steve McConkey is the President of 4 WINDS, a Christian apologetics and track and field ministry. Steve and his wife have been in track and field ministries since 1981. Steve was born in Des Moines, Iowa and grew up in Dairyland, Wisconsin. He graduated with honors from Minnesota State University-Mankato (BS-Public Health) and Western Kentucky University (Masters of Public Health). From 1982 through 1992, he was a Director/Coach of elite post-collegiate Christian teams.
Read more on OpposingViews.com: Family Insists Track Star Semenya is a Woman
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I had to grab my "submit button" finger and crank it back to prevent my first post. While it was cathartic to type, it would not have added in any positive way to the conversation. And do please forgive me, but I have to agree with these twitwhittles on a small point:
"allow transgender athletes in the Olympics after sexual reassignment surgery." While I don't think there would be a huge market for reassignment surgery just to win a gold medal, I suppose it could / would happen.
The rest of the argument is rubbish, and I will leave it at that before my fingers spew venom.
The 4 WINDS comment about chromosomes shows a deep and abiding ignorance about biology. 46xx does not always mean female, 46xy does not always mean male.They have no magic powers. They are a guide, that's all.
Example:
A 46,XY mother who developed as a normal woman underwent spontaneous puberty, reached menarche, menstruated regularly, experienced two unassisted pregnancies, and gave birth to a 46,XY daughter with complete gonadal dysgenesis.
- J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 January; 93(1): 182–189.
I'm not sure if 4WINDS are also flat-earthers or young earth creationists, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Normally belief in such things as evil spirits, talismans and magic fetishes doesn't matter. It's harmless. Moreover, many religious tracts are excellent guides to morality, and religious belief therefore a positive good. But when these superstitions cause people to act inhumanely, and unjustly, we need to call these beliefs out for what they are: ignorant nonsense, contrary to reality.
If Miss Semenaya was a man and kicked this much butt, companies would be falling over themselves to sponsor her. Instead, you are asking her to spread her legs for you. Get your mind out of the gutter and check your misogyny at the door.
She looks like a man. She talks like a man and She runs like a man.I would be dum not to check to see if She is a man!