Sports insight/South Africa - interview

Scientist sheds light on Semenya case

by Barney Spender

Article published on the 2009-08-30 Latest update 2009-08-30 18:36 TU

Caster Semenya poses with school children after being welcomed home after her win
(Photo: Reuters)

This week's Sports Insight focuses on the world of athletics because, after the World Championships in Berlin, the spotlight has been pointed very firmly in the direction of the South African runner Caster Semenya. The 18 year old stormed to victory in the women's 800 metres, just four hours after the IAAF carelessly let slip that she would be subjected to a gender test.

Barney Spender talks to one of the world's leading sports scientists, Professor Tim Noakes of the University of Cape Town, to find out more about the gender tests and how athletes who are genetically male can compete as females.