S. African gender row runner Semenya placed on suicide watch
September 13th, 2009 - 11:58 am ICT by ANILondon, Sep. 13 (ANI): South African runner Caster Semenya, who is at the center of a gender row, has been placed on suicide watch amid fears for her mental stability.
The Daily Star quoted officials as saying that psychologists are caring the 18-year-old round-the- clock after it was claimed tests had proved she was a hermaphrodite.
Leaked details of the probe by the International Association of Athletics Federations showed the 800m starlet had male and female sex organs - but no womb.
Lawmaker Butana Komphela, chair of South Africa’s sports committee, was quoted as saying: “She is like a raped person. She is afraid of herself and does not want anyone near her. If she commits suicide, it will be on all our heads. The best we can do is protect her and look out for her during this trying time.”
South African athletics officials confirmed Semenya is now receiving trauma counselling at the University of Pretoria.
Caster has not competed since the World Athletics Championships last month when the IAAF ordered gender tests on her amid claims she might be male. (ANI)
- IAAF in a fix as tests prove Semenya is a hermaphrodite - Sep 11, 2009
- S. African gender row runner Semenya set to race against women - Jul 06, 2010
- Semenya's gender tested unknown to her: mother - Sep 13, 2009
- South Africa Sports Minister warns of World War III over Semanya - Sep 12, 2009
- Rivals 'stared and laughed at' Proteas' Semenya, claims UK athlete - Jul 23, 2010
- Athletics South Africa criticises Caster Semenya hermaphrodite report - Sep 11, 2009
- IAAF offers to pay for Caster Semenya's gender surgery - Dec 12, 2009
- South African officials withhold findings of Caster Semenya's gender test - Sep 19, 2009
- After World Cup, runner Semenya is South Africa's hope - Jul 12, 2010
- South African runner Semenya a hermaphrodite - Sep 11, 2009
- Caster Semenya's Fate Hangs In Balance - Jan 14, 2010
- IAAF denies allowing Caster Semenya to keep her gold medal - Nov 20, 2009
- Semenya skips African Athletics Championships, to focus on CWG - Jul 12, 2010
- Gender row runner Semenya shattered by her predicament - Sep 16, 2009
- Caster Semenya Cleared to Compete After Gender Confirmed - Jul 07, 2010
Tags: caster, clock, daily star, fears, female sex organs, hermaphrodite, iaaf, lawmaker, male and female sex organs, mental stability, psychologists, s sports, south africa, sports committee, starlet, suicide watch, trauma counselling, university of pretoria, womb, world athletics championships