Welcome to the Science of Sport where we bring you the second, third, and fourth level of analysis you will not find anywhere else.
Be it doping in sport, hot topics like Caster Semenya or Oscar Pistorius, or the dehydration myth, we try to translate the science behind sports and sports performance. Consider a donation if you like what you see here!
Caster Semenya // Posts categorised as Caster Semenya
Testosterone, performance & intersex athletes: Will the IAAF evidence be enough?
In 2015, the Court of Arbitration set aside an IAAF policy that required female athletes to have a Testosterone level below a cut-off threshold. Now, 2 years later, with the IAAF appeal imminent, new evidence has emerged, with possible implications for athletes like Caster Semenya. But will the IAAF's new evidence be enough. Here's a look at some issues.
The Caster Semenya debate
Caster Semenya won the Monaco 800m in 1:55.33, at a canter, and is the surest bet for gold in Rio 2016. She's also the surest bet for controversy, and will kick start an explosive, aggressive debate. This post introduces some of the concepts, and addresses some issues around our approach to this difficult issue.
Hyperandrogenism and women vs women vs men in sport: A Q&A with Joanna Harper
Caster Semenya's likely gold medal in Rio is going to be one of the most controversial stories of the Games, if not the history of the Olympics. She is, unwillingly, the known image of a sex-verification controversy in sport, asking questions over whether a woman should compete against other women. In this piece, I interview Joanna Harper, an expert on matters of transgender science and performance, for her comprehensive views
David Rudisha 800m WR and Semenya returns
As mentioned in , David Rudisha of Kenya has broken the 800m World Record. And as promised, here is a video for those who might have missed it! So yesterday I wrote about the importance of that first lap being around 49 seconds, based on the pacing of the event. I’ll look at that in […]
Caster Semenya cleared? Is this finally the verdict?
It is being reported that Caster Semenya, South Africa’s 800m World Champion, will be given the all clear to return to the track. Before getting carried away at the conclusion of what seemed a never-ending saga, let’s remember that on no fewer than three occasions, the SA government have organized triumphant press conferences only to […]
Caster Semenya – Verdict Imminent
Later today, it is being reported, Caster Semenya will hold a press conference to announce, in all likelihood, that she will be returning to the sport having been cleared to compete as a woman. This brings, potentially, to a close, many months of what must have been serious negotiation and behind-the-scenes activity to discuss whether […]
Let male and female compete together
As a follow up to my , I am currently reading a book called “Genetic technology and sport: ethical questions”. And Chapter 15 of this book is titled “The genetic design of a new Amazon”. Below is an excerpt from that chapter. I’m rewriting it, word for word, to build on what I . I’d […]
Semenya: Will announce her results
It should come as no surprise that latest reports are indicating that Caster Semenya will release the results of her sex verification tests herself. This was reported in local news yesterday, according to an Athletics South Africa (ASA) administrator. This was an inevitable step, something that we’ve been suggesting all along – Semenya, assuming she […]
Caster Semenya set for return
“I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions” – Caster Semenya The above quote is attributed to Caster Semenya, South Africa’s 800m world champion from Berlin last year, and the athlete who, for all the wrong reasons, dominated the world scene towards the end of 2009. Her story, and the web of lying, corruption, […]