South African government lodges complaint with UN over runner’s treatment in sex tests

SAfrican govt lodges complaint over gender tests

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s minister for women and children has filed a complaint with the United Nations over how Caster Semenya’s case was handled.

Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya says the international athletics governing body failed to safeguard the confidentiality of the runner whose sex has been questioned. She says they showed “blatant disregard” for Semenya’s “human dignity.”

The complaint made Monday asks the UN Division for the Advancement of Women to investigate the matter.

The International Association of Athletics Federations has refused to confirm or deny Australian media reports saying sex tests show that the women’s 800-meter world champion has both male and female characteristics.