South African Intersex Activism: Caster Semenya's Impact and Import

Abstract

In August 2009, South African track star Caster Semenya won a gold medal in the 800 meter World Championship in Athletics, but her victory occurred in the midst of controversy and was marred by it. Semenya was subjected to genetic, gynecological, psychological, and endocrine gender verification testing to determine her eligibility to compete as a woman and was reportedly found to be intersexed. The triumph of this talented athlete occurred in the midst of a maelstrom of outrage over the purported racism of both her rivals and the International Association of Athletics Federations