South African track star Caster Semenya has been cleared to return to running, having been hampered for eleven months by allegations that she was a hermaphrodite.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced Tuesday that she may return to her sport and compete with other women, although it is unclear if she has had any medical procedures during her absence.
Adding a hint of intrigue to the case, The IAAF added that medical details of Semenya’s gender testing would remain confidential and it will have no further comment on the matter.
Semenya could return to competition at the world junior championships in New Brunswick on July 19.
“I am thrilled to enter the global athletics arena once again and look forward to competing with all the disputes behind me.” Semenya said in a statement.
South Africa’s ruling ANC party also issued a statement on Tuesday, calling the decision “a vindication of the ANC, her family, our government and all progressive forces who stood behind her during her time of need.”
“It has always been our long-held view that Caster is a woman and she should have been allowed a long time ago to participate in athletics as a woman,” said national spokesman Jackson Mthembu. “We don’t believe that any aspersion should have been cast on her gender as woman.”
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- Semenya set to announce comeback (guardian.co.uk)
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