Stance on Semenya

CASTER Semenya “Trailing coat tails”, March 28 refers. This is not an attack on Semenya; her physique is unique and not her fault.

However, her physique appears to be more powerful and muscular than the average female; we know her body produced about three times more testosterone than the average female at some stage in her life.

Since it is not her fault and “remedial” steps were taken, she is a champion runner in her chosen distance or distances.

However, it seems to me unfair to other females in a race wherein she competes; if all other female participants had been exposed since puberty to testosterone for years, they probably would have ended up with similar physiques, even if then weaned or medicated at some point.

Since it is not Semenya’s fault, would it not be fair, if she should win a gold medal, to designate it “special category” and also give the runner-up a gold medal, and the rest silver or bronze?

It would mean two gold medallists (or silver or bronze as the case may be) and even records can be placed in a special category, and should the runnerup also break the “standard category” record, let her have it! This would be fair not only to Semenya, but to the other competitors.

If this is an unfair stance, please enlighten me why. Ben Smit Melkbosstrand