ATHLETICS SA president Leonard Chuene yesterday denied lying about not having any knowledge of gender tests conducted on Caster Semenya.
ATHLETICS SA president Leonard Chuene yesterday denied lying about not having any knowledge of gender tests conducted on Caster Semenya.
Briefing the National Assembly's sport and recreation committee, he said: "Our position is documented. We learnt from the past that we were called liars even if we put everything on paper. I don't understand."
Chuene said a statement, read to the committee by ASA spokesperson Chris Brits yesterday was the same statement that was issued at a press conference in Pretoria on September 19.
He had then read the following day that "I lied to the country, said all these things".
In the statement Chuene admitted that he refused to accept advice from ASA team doctor Harold Adams to withdraw Semenya, pictured, from the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August.
He also admitted that the ASA knew about a gender test conducted on Semenya in Pretoria on August 7.
But the ASA's deception on the matter was intended to protect Semenya's confidentiality.
Adams organised the gender tests on Semenya after ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo had given him the go-ahead, following a request from the international athletics body, the International Association of Athletics Federations.
"Despite increased media interest on Caster Semenya and issues surrounding her gender, members of ASA continued to deny the existence or knowledge of these tests as they believed that maintaining confidentiality would protect her as an individual." - Sapa
Chuene reiterates position on Semenya
ATHLETICS SA president Leonard Chuene yesterday denied lying about not having any knowledge of gender tests conducted on Caster Semenya.
ATHLETICS SA president Leonard Chuene yesterday denied lying about not having any knowledge of gender tests conducted on Caster Semenya.
Briefing the National Assembly's sport and recreation committee, he said: "Our position is documented. We learnt from the past that we were called liars even if we put everything on paper. I don't understand."
Chuene said a statement, read to the committee by ASA spokesperson Chris Brits yesterday was the same statement that was issued at a press conference in Pretoria on September 19.
He had then read the following day that "I lied to the country, said all these things".
In the statement Chuene admitted that he refused to accept advice from ASA team doctor Harold Adams to withdraw Semenya, pictured, from the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in August.
He also admitted that the ASA knew about a gender test conducted on Semenya in Pretoria on August 7.
But the ASA's deception on the matter was intended to protect Semenya's confidentiality.
Adams organised the gender tests on Semenya after ASA general manager Molatelo Malehopo had given him the go-ahead, following a request from the international athletics body, the International Association of Athletics Federations.
"Despite increased media interest on Caster Semenya and issues surrounding her gender, members of ASA continued to deny the existence or knowledge of these tests as they believed that maintaining confidentiality would protect her as an individual." - Sapa
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