MEC rallies behind Semenya

Sport, Arts and Culture MEC, Thandi Moraka has urged citizens to rally behind Caster Semenya who appeared before the Court of Arbitration (Cas) in battle with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in Lausanne, Switzerland on Monday.
The double Olympic and three times world 800 m champion has filed an appeal in the Cas against the IAAF ruling which forces female runners to medicate in order to reduce their testosterone levels for six months before racing internationally.
Moraka said the Department of Sport Arts and Culture is bothered by the heightened attacks on Semenya every time she wins and especially when competing internationally.
“There is a clear and concerted campaign against Semenya and this leaves us with no option but to fight it with all we have. It happened before against Indian athlete, Dutee Chand. One therefore can surmise that these malpractices are only meted against athletes from the developing countries,” Moraka said.
She added that Semenya cannot continue to suffer the indignity of such frivolity that borders on the biological re-engineering of those that have vested interests in her loss. “We call on South Africans to rally behind Semenya and Athletics South Africa (Asa) as they face the Cas in Switzerland. She is a superior athlete who has suffered and even endured expletives from so-called scientists. It’s enough,” concluded Moraka.

Story: Herbert Rachuene
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