Government calls for South Africa athletics chief to be fired over lies about Semenya tests

Athletics chief under fire for gender test lies

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s government has called for the country’s top athletics official to be fired for lying about gender tests done on Caster Semenya.

Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene admitted he lied when denying gender tests had been done in the country on the women’s 800-meter world champion, but said he did so to protect the 18-year-old’s privacy.

Deputy Sports Minister Gert Oosthuizen said in a statement on Sunday that Chuene’s denials were detrimental to the runner.

Semenya won the 800 world title on Aug. 19 in Berlin in 1 minute, 55.45 seconds.

The International Association of Athletics Federations ordered gender tests, saying questions had been raised about Semenya’s muscular physique and recent stunning improvement.