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Caster Semenya Test Results Reveal High Testosterone Level
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by Jon Azpiri | August 25, 2009 at 03:34 pm
5214 views | 1 Recommendation | 7 comments
Early test results on South African sprinter Caster Semenya have reportedly found testosterone levels three times higher than the normal woman.
The Caster Semenya test results aren't necessarily conclusive of druge use as testosterone levels can vary widely.
However, many are now concerned about Caster Semenya's association with Dr Ekkart Arbeit, a doctor with a reputation for giving steroids to athletes. In fact, Heidi Krieger, a former East German athlete, once accused Ekkart Arbeit of giving her so many steroids that she was forced to undergo a sex-change operation and live as a man. Heidi Krieger now lives as Andreas Krieger.
Back in South Africa, news of Caster Semenya's test results and testosterone levels have not hurt her popularity. The 18-year-old is already considered a national hero.
UPDATE (August 28):
According to Mail & Guardian, Caster Semenya has been tested in South Africa. Though she has higher than usual level of testosterone but still well within the range for her to compete in women's races.
Two sources within ASA told the Mail & Guardian this week that the body had “made sure” she was eligible to compete, not by a process of gender verification but by a standard urine test taken by all competing athletes. “She was tested three years ago when she started competing and it was found that she is a woman. She may have rather high levels of male hormones, but she is definitely a woman,” a source in ASA said.
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at 17:22 on August 25th, 2009
The question is whether her levels of testosterone are natural or not? This article is the first one I have seen that references a doctor who may have given steroids to athletes. Let's hope the officials after the Worlds in Berlin can get to the bottom of this one.
at 17:28 on August 25th, 2009
Yes that's true, it doesn't say if they are natural.
at 14:31 on August 28th, 2009
Natural or not they could have handled this less publicly. This has got to be the most humiliating experience of her life.
at 20:26 on September 3rd, 2009
No, this needs to be done publically. It always is and it should be. If people want to be in the spotlight and be athletes then it should be based on their natural merit and not that of steroids, excess testosterone, etc. What's the point of being a national hero if it was all done through the lab before it could be done on the track?
at 02:52 on November 3rd, 2009
it is not meant to be publicised this is a private matter.how would you feel if somebody did this to you it is a private and delicate matter and should be handled accordingly
at 23:29 on September 10th, 2009
The question still remains if its natural or not, if unnatural was she aware of steroids and related?. We are talking about a village 18 year old form a rural background whose level exposure to life and things like those is extremely low. The matter could have been handled differently until they got the findings and then expose her if she is guilty or explain the process and way forward after wards. This has a potential of destroying her especially if it turns out to beunnatural. They have announced that if she is found to have excessive steroids they wont take the medal back coz its a medical condition. If that is the case why didnt they investigate firts and then break the news.
at 22:46 on November 17th, 2009
Why is the ASA being so lenient towards such a delicate matter?why cant they just see that there might be a chance that Caster was made a woman and that it very rare for a woman to have excess testosterone, then she simply isnt a woman and it is only fair thet she return the medal and hand it to more deserving women athletes.Hence this had every right of being public, hurting her feelings or not!!!