SOUTH AFRICA: ATHLETICS - South African world champion Caster Semenya gets big welcome in home village while awaiting results of gender tests

Record ID: 453049

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: ATHLETICS - South African world champion Caster Semenya gets big welcome in home village while awaiting results of gender tests
  • Date: 29th August 2009
  • Summary: VILLAGERS GATHERED IN THE YARD CASTER STANDING FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE WOMEN CONVERSING POLICEMEN WATCHING
  • Embargoed: 13th September 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA8K7AI3GXKL04ZHQW1GWGYPLTZ
  • Story Text: South Africa's 18-year-old 800m world championships gold medallist Caster Semenya receives a huge welcome in her home village while awaiting the results of gender tests.
    World champion South African runner Caster Semenya, whose victory has been overshadowed by a gender testing row, has returned to her home village to a big welcome.
    Furious South Africans have accused the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) of everything from racism to imperialism for ordering tests after the 18-year-old's
    rapid improvement raised its suspicions.
    On Tuesday Semenya, who won the 800 metres title with a crushing performance in Berlin, was greeted by thousands of wellwishers at Johannesburg's international airport.
    The controversy may have touched a raw nerve in a country where race is still a highly sensitive issue after decades of white rule under apartheid, which ended in 1994.
    It could be a tense few weeks for Semenya until the results are announced of the gender tests that have thrust her under the international spotlight.
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