ANC facts sheet on reasons for the Caster Semenya task team calling for the nullification of the gender test results against Caster

29 October 2009

Based on the following IAAF gender verification policy 2006:

a) The IAAF gender verification policy state that there should be a complaint or a challenge from another athlete/ team before an investigation can be conducted. The policy states that:

Gender issues are likely to arise as a result of:

• 'Challenge' by another athlete or team as brought forward to authorities at an athletic event, including the President of the meet, technical delegate, medical delegate;
• 'Suspicion' raised as to an athletes' gender as witnessed during an anti doping control specimen collection; an approach made to the IAAF/regional AAA or National federation by an athlete or his representative for advice and clarification.

In our interaction with this matter, there is no evidence than athlete or team brought forward to authorities a complaint or a challenge against Caster in Berlin. As it applies to B, no suspicion was raised at any doping control specimen collection against Caster's gender.

b) The IAAF violated their own policy on gender verification on the composition of the team to conduct the gender verification. Under A(4), the policy state that:

" if there is any 'suspicion' or if there is a 'challenge' then the athlete concerned can be asked to attend a medical evaluation before a panel comprising a gynaecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialist, expert on gender/transgender issues. The medical delegate can do an initial check.

The IAAF also violated the policy by not adhering to the process of handling cases of gender ambiguity. Section B(2) under the process for handling cases of gender ambiguity states.

In our interaction with this matter, ASA and the IAAF conducted tests in South Africa without the composition of such a team of specialist.

c) Accordingly, the steps to be followed in handling cases of gender ambiguity, the following must happen:

• The athlete is referred to the investigating authority in confidence for further investigation and advice;
• The verdict is passed on to the national federation with advice for further action including appropriate advice to the athlete as the need to 'withdraw from competition until the problem is definitively resolved through appropriate medical and surgicaeasures;

Accordingly, Caster was not taken into confidence, because Nick Davis, the IAAF spokesperson, disclosed in a press conference publicly that such tests will be conducted on Caster.

The alleged tests results were also leaked to the international media.

It is our view that the gender verification was not in accordance with the gender verification policy of the IAAF as demonstrated through the above facts. It is for the reason above that we therefore call for the nullification of the results as they have been compromised, as they cannot be used for any decision-making.

Issued by:
Jackson Mthembu
National Spokesperson

Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi 0823335550