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South Africans unite behind gender row athlete South Africans unite behind gender row athlete
(about 6 hours later)
By Pumza Fihlani BBC News, JohannesburgBy Pumza Fihlani BBC News, Johannesburg
Many South Africans feel that their new sports star, Caster Semenya, has been singled out for unfair treatment after athletics officials called for tests to verify her gender.Many South Africans feel that their new sports star, Caster Semenya, has been singled out for unfair treatment after athletics officials called for tests to verify her gender.
The 18-year-old won a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Wednesday.The 18-year-old won a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin on Wednesday.
She was virtually unknown until last month, when she set a new record for the 800m in the African Junior Championships.She was virtually unknown until last month, when she set a new record for the 800m in the African Junior Championships.
This smacks of racism of the highest order Young Communist League SA fury over gender test This smacks of racism of the highest order Young Communist League SA fury over gender test class="" href="/2/hi/talking_point/8213280.stm">Your comments from Africa
That victory also meant she had improved her personal best by seven seconds in less than nine months - and she began to attract huge attention.That victory also meant she had improved her personal best by seven seconds in less than nine months - and she began to attract huge attention.
While the athlete, who comes from a rural village in Limpopo province, has shrugged off speculation over her gender, others have taken the matter to heart.While the athlete, who comes from a rural village in Limpopo province, has shrugged off speculation over her gender, others have taken the matter to heart.
The South African government, political parties, unions and ordinary citizens have expressed outrage at the tests ordered by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).The South African government, political parties, unions and ordinary citizens have expressed outrage at the tests ordered by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).
'Stupid decision''Stupid decision'
A number of "support" groups have been created by well-wishers on social networking site Facebook since news broke of the IAAF's plans.A number of "support" groups have been created by well-wishers on social networking site Facebook since news broke of the IAAF's plans.
One group, called In Support of Caster Semenya and All African Women, had more than 1,000 members by Thursday afternoon.One group, called In Support of Caster Semenya and All African Women, had more than 1,000 members by Thursday afternoon.
Its creator, Thabiso Theffo, said he made the group "to show support for the running sensation who has received unfair treatment".Its creator, Thabiso Theffo, said he made the group "to show support for the running sensation who has received unfair treatment".
Leonard Chuene: "I will continue to defend the girl"Leonard Chuene: "I will continue to defend the girl"
Regional and national radio stations also rallied behind Ms Semenya and held debates throughout the day calling for people's views.Regional and national radio stations also rallied behind Ms Semenya and held debates throughout the day calling for people's views.
"I think what is happening is stupid," said Hadija Haruna, a freelance journalist."I think what is happening is stupid," said Hadija Haruna, a freelance journalist.
"Why didn't they didn't check her before she won last month?""Why didn't they didn't check her before she won last month?"
Johannesburg residents were keen to register their annoyance.Johannesburg residents were keen to register their annoyance.
Oscar Ramphele compared the Semenya affair with the case of disabled South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who was banned from the 2008 Paralympics after officials ruled his prosthetic legs gave him an unfair advantage.Oscar Ramphele compared the Semenya affair with the case of disabled South African athlete Oscar Pistorius, who was banned from the 2008 Paralympics after officials ruled his prosthetic legs gave him an unfair advantage.
"They should have spoken to her first before talking to the media. Pistorius went through more or less similar humiliation," Mr Ramphele said."They should have spoken to her first before talking to the media. Pistorius went through more or less similar humiliation," Mr Ramphele said.
University student Ntombifuthi said the matter should have been handled in private.University student Ntombifuthi said the matter should have been handled in private.
"They shouldn't be judging her beforehand, it's not fair," she said."They shouldn't be judging her beforehand, it's not fair," she said.
'Bogus and groundless''Bogus and groundless'
And the official response has been no less strident.And the official response has been no less strident.
The women's ministry said: "Semenya's outstanding success despite negative media speculation about her gender demonstrates her determination and resolve to succeed."The women's ministry said: "Semenya's outstanding success despite negative media speculation about her gender demonstrates her determination and resolve to succeed."
The ruling African National Congress urged the country to back "our golden girl".The ruling African National Congress urged the country to back "our golden girl".
Youth bodies have also strongly defended Ms Semenya.Youth bodies have also strongly defended Ms Semenya.
The ANC youth wing said it "condemns with contempt those who are questioning her gender".The ANC youth wing said it "condemns with contempt those who are questioning her gender".
"Caster is one of South Africa's diligent female athletes," the party said in a statement."Caster is one of South Africa's diligent female athletes," the party said in a statement.
The Young Communist League of South Africa said the IAAF's actions were racially motivated.The Young Communist League of South Africa said the IAAF's actions were racially motivated.
"This smacks of racism of the highest order," the party said."This smacks of racism of the highest order," the party said.
"It represents a mentality of conforming feminine outlook within the white race, and that as long as it does not fall within this race or starve and paint itself in order to look like the white race it therefore is not feminine.""It represents a mentality of conforming feminine outlook within the white race, and that as long as it does not fall within this race or starve and paint itself in order to look like the white race it therefore is not feminine."
The Congress of South African Trade Unions said queries raised about Ms Semenya's gender were "bogus and groundless".The Congress of South African Trade Unions said queries raised about Ms Semenya's gender were "bogus and groundless".