Athletics South Africa's submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Sport and Recreation, October 20 2009

The Team Performance in Berlin

INTRODUCTION

We welcome the opportunity to present to you a report on the performance of the South African team at the 15th edition of the IAAF World Championships.  In order to put the achievements of our team into perspective, one needs to compare this year's performance with the performance in 2005 and 2007 IAAF World Championships.   In 2005 and 2007 we did not win any medals and very few our athletes made it past the heats.  This year a record number of our athletes performed very well in the heats and made it to the finals and of course we won two gold and one silver medal.  At the end of this year's Championship, we were ranked 9th out of a total of 204 countries which participated.  These achievements are not a result of chance or luck, but they are a result of the hard work and the strategies employed by ASA. 

The achievements of Mokgadi Caster Semenya, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and Khotso Mokoena bear testimony to the success of our  the High Performance and Development Programmes. The two gold medals and a silver  only comes secondary  to  in Paris in 2003. Chair, it is unfortunate that these good performances have been overshadowed by the Caster Semenya issue, which we must mention that it is an important issue and need to be address.  Later in this report we will address this issue.

The success in Berlin came after other notable successes such as that of  the Cross Country team which participated in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, the youth team that participated in the IAAF World Youth Championships, the junior team that participated in the CAA African Junior Championships and most recently the team that participated in the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships held in Birmingham.

Our strategies, programmes and resources were intended to build momentum of our team towards achieving success at the 2012 London Olympic. We have acquired the services of coach Danson Muchoki from Kenya who has been instrumental in assisting our middle and long distance athletes to achieve the world class performances. I need to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Muchoki for lifting the performances of our world cross country team, the marathon team in Berlin and the world half marathon team. We believe we made a right decision by bringing him to our shores and this is but one of the strategies that he have put in place in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Our Council meeting held in September has `also adopted a five year strategy which should assist us in further increasing the performance of our athletes within a sound administered structure. Our regular training camps with athletes led by Dr. Ekkart Arbeit who still remains our head coach have paid dividends.

The Caster Semenya's matter

Many allegations have been made, some if not all based on speculation and rumours.  Unfortunately ASA has already been convicted and sentenced in the media without the benefit of a hearing or an opportunity to respond.  We hope that our report to you will be one of the efforts in presenting our case to South Africa and the first step towards a unified defence for Caster.

Mokgadi Caster Semenya is a member of ASA.  She has represented South Africa in a number of competitions abroad.  Caster did not appear on the world athletics stage from nowhere.   She has been participating in athletics since she was a young girl. Her success in Berlin was a result of many years of hard training and preparation.  It was also a part of a series of successes and failures in various competitions over many years. In all those years, she was accepted as a female without question.  ASA entered her in all the international competitions with the knowledge and confidence that she is female and accepted by the IAAF as a female athlete.  ASA has never questioned her gender.  ASA does not question her gender today.  As ASA we will fight for her dignity and her human rights and we will not abandon her just to keep the support of certain sponsors.  We are committed to cooperating with the Parliamentary Committee on Sport and Recreation in making sure that her human rights and dignity are restored and protected. 

ASA is devastated by what happened to Caster.  The media criticism and vilification of ASA and its leadership, coupled with the loss of sponsorship, is nothing compared to what is happening to her.  She is only eighteen years old, and no one can tell how all this is going to affect her in future.  As ASA we will continue to support her and we are ready for a protracted fight with the IAAF in her defence.

This is a tragic and painful matter and will not be fixed by a positive ruling from the IAAF.  In fact the repercussions will be felt long after the Caster Semenya issue has been resolved or settled.  Through its careless and indifferent handling of this matter, the IAAF has placed landmines all over women's sports.  Like real landmines, the gender verification landmines will keep on exploding long after this war has ended and will continue to claim its victims, namely, young talented women, whose only "crime" is that they look different, talk differently or even walk differently from other women. 

Let us place the facts into perspective.

The South African national athletics team arrived in Germany on 17 July without Caster Semenya.

Caster did not travel with the team because of her commitments to race in Mauritius at the African Junior Championships.

Dr Harold Adams attended the meet in Mauritius as the medical delegate of the Confederation of African Athletics as well as the IAAF.

On 4 August, the ASA general manager, Mr Molatelo Malehopo, received an email from Dr Harold Adams in Adams' capacity as a member of the IAAF Medical and Doping Commission raising concerns regarding the gender of Caster Semenya.

The IAAF's requests to test Caster Semenya were based on an unconfirmed media request which originated on an internet blog hosted by Media 24 and was directed at the IAAF. The email from Dr Adams made recommendations regarding two possible responses to the IAAF concerns. These were:

• Solicit the opinion of a gynaecologist to take with to Berlin.
• Do nothing, and rather deal with issues as they arise in Berlin.

As a result, Mr Molatelo Malehopo requested that Dr Adams go ahead with whatever tests the IAAF was asking for.

Mr Molatelo Malehopo agreed to maintain the strict confidentiality.

On instruction of Dr Adams, and in the interests of her well being, Mr Malehopo arranged for psychological counselling ahead of tests.

Tests were conducted in Pretoria on 7 August. Caster Semenya was accompanied by her coach Mr Michael Seme to these tests.

Further details of this test were discussed between Caster and the doctor. It is unclear whether or not the doctor informed her that she was undergoing a gender test.

Caster Semenya departed for Germany on 8 August.

Prior to her departure, and after testing had taken place, Caster Semenya received confirmation of her participation in the world championships from the IAAF. This formed part of a group confirmation for the team as a whole.

On 13 August, while in Berlin, the team management received a request from Dr Adams to withdraw Semenya because of concerns regarding her gender. This recommendation was based on rumours. The team management requested that the matter be referred to Mr Leonard Chuene, the President of ASA.

On the 14th of August 2009, a meeting between Mr Chuene and the medical commissioners  of the IAAF (Dr Dolle, Dr Adams and Dr Alonso) was held in order to clarify on what basis Semenya could be withdrawn from the championships. In this meeting there was a verbal request to voluntarily withdraw Semenya from the championships. The IAAF medical team suggested two options to Mr Chuene:

Option 1: Caster fakes an injury and withdraws from the race. Mr Chuene rejected this outright as it was unethical.

Option 2: She run and finish and the matter can be addressed after the race. Mr Chuene was comfortable with this option.

The meeting finally resolved that in the absence of solid evidence Semenya would be cleared to participate. She won the event and the IAAF gave her the gold medal. 

Caster Semenya arrived back in South Africa on 25 August. espite increased media interest in Caster Semenya and the issues surrounding her gender, members of ASA continued to deny existence or knowledge of these tests as they believed that maintaining confidentiality would protect her as an individual on this highly sensitive and private issue.

It remains a fact, that ASA had consistently denied knowledge of gender testing on Caster Semenya ahead of her departure for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin. ASA  continued to deny knowledge of these tests because of its commitment to keep information around this issue confidential, and because the association sought to act in the best interests of Caster in doing so.  Had ASA admitted its knowledge at the time, it would have compromised Caster Semenya's privacy on an extremely sensitive issue and unfairly fuelled the debate and speculation surrounding her gender.

Furthermore, in denying gender tests took place, ASA was aware that tests by one individual doctor did not constitute a gender verification panel as required by the IAAF. In admitting that these tests took place, ASA would have placed itself in a position where it would have no choice but to accept the outcome of these tests. This is most definitely not the case as we will not accept the outcome of this test.

ASA did not deny knowledge of these tests with any malice and ASA's intention was never intended to deceive the South African public. We felt that, at the time that we were acting in the best interests of Caster Semenya as a person. We believed at the time that consistent denials, would help protect her.

ASA was forced to break the confidentiality protocol contained within its governance guidelines in an effort to clear the organisation of allegations that we mislead the South African public. ASA, lead by Mr Leonard Chuene as president of ASA, apologised unconditionally for this error of judgement. However he stated that he cannot apologise for allowing Caster Semenya to run or for protecting her privacy and for trying to keep this matter confidential. We cannot be hypocritical about this.

Does this mean we could have handled things differently? Under the circumstances, yes, without a doubt. It is for this reason we are here today to lay our cards on the table. Chair, we have come to the most critical part of this issue:  What went wrong?  The following is what the IAAF did wrong;

• The IAAF tried to prevent this young woman from running without ANY concrete proof. It was based on a story from an internet site.  It was therefore based on a rumour.
• There was no official challenge from a competition Official, another athlete, a national federation or from a medical officer.

At a press conference hosted by Pierre Weiss and Nick Davies of the IAAF on 19 August, the IAAF announced that it was awaiting gender testing results in relation to Caster Semenya. This was a highly irregular action on behalf of the IAAF, who according to its own rules and processes is not allowed to break rules of confidentiality around testing of any athletes.  In this regard it is important to note the following provisions of the IAAF policy on gender verification:

"There will be no compulsory, standard or regular gender verification during IAAF sanctioned championships.   If there is any suspicion or if there is a challenge, then the athlete can be asked to attend a medical evaluation before a panel comprising gynaecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, internal medicine specialists and an expert on gender issues."

ASA believes that if there was an official challenge raised by any athlete, national federation or competition official; the IAAF should have asked the athlete and the national federation to attend a medical evaluation by the full panel as stipulated in its own policy.  This did not happen. Given these guidelines, and moreover the reality that the IAAF was acting on the basis of a blog which appeared on Media 24, ASA declined to withdraw Caster Semenya from the championships meeting.  Withdrawing Caster Semenya from the race on the basis of rumour and speculation was not ever an option as it would have immediately cast aspersions on this young woman without any concrete proof.

It has been suggested that Mr Chuene should have protected Caster by preventing her from running in the World Championships. Unfortunately, ASA's critics are conveniently silent as to what would have happened then.  What consequences would have flowed had Leonard Chuene made the decision suggested by the Media?

We would like to address the various issues raised in media reports to date:

No test results are in the possession of ASA.

We cannot confirm whether or not an Australian media report on Caster Semenya's test results is accurate.

Caster Semenya's appearance in You Magazine was an agreement between Caster and the publication itself. ASA sanctioned this interview. All moneys in relation to this were paid to Caster directly. 

Interview requests from Oprah, Tyra Banks, 60 Minutes and other international and local media have subsequently been declined by Caster herself. ASA agrees with this and feels these would not be in the best interests of Caster Semenya at this time.

A recorded insert on Top Billing was withdrawn for the same reason.

ASA has no commercial interests in Caster Semenya whatsoever. ASA does not stand to benefit from any of her engagement activities.

Athletics South Africa cannot speak on behalf of Mr Wilfred Daniels and will not enter into speculation regarding his activities and comments. However, ASA would like to point out that his ongoing comments have been wreckless and irresponsible and have caused irreparable damage to Caster Semenya. He has no business describing in graphic detail Semenya's gynaecological examination for example. It is a humiliation to Caster and a disgrace upon him. We invite him to raise issues through the correct channels and in the proper manor. Wilfred Daniels owes Caster Semenya an apology for invading her privacy and using the details of this to forward his own agenda. In addition he owes ASA an apology.

ASA strongly denies that it sacrificed Caster Semenya for a medal. This goes against our constitution, our internal policies and our personal ethics. Athletics South Africa continues to act in the best interests of all its athletes. While we welcome any medals our athletes achieve, we will not do so at the expense of their personal careers and lives.

As an organisation we have had ample time to reflect on the events that have unfolded since the team's return from Berlin. Suppose we had withdrawn Caster from the Berlin championships, ASA think that we would have faced the same fate as we have suffered now.  If we had forced Caster to withdraw from the race, without any concrete evidence, the media would have still lambasted us for that decision. They would have still called on us to resign, and they would have castigated us for having denied the nation of its well-deserved victory.

Yes we knew that the IAAF wanted to do the gender tests on Caster, but we could not confirm this to the media out of respect for her dignity, and the confidentiality aspect. But we also knew all along the self-evident truth, that Caster Semenya is a girl.

Now we want to ask you this, having heard all the facts here today, who amongst you would have had the heart to tell Caster that you cannot run because they suspect that you are not a girl? I said ASA and its president have been tried and sentenced in the court of public opinion for the decision that we made, and also for endeavouring to preserve her dignity. Although it has been a painful time for our President, his family, and ourselves, we do however sleep peacefully knowing that our conscience are clear. Tell me that you would have not taken the same decision that we made.

ASA 5 Year Strategy

ASA has developed a strategy which was adopted at the recent General meeting of the organisation held at the High Performance Centre in Tshwane on 12 and 13 September 2009. Our strategy highlights are quest and determination to succeed as an organisation. The strategy is a direct response to the dismal performance of South Africa at the 008 Beijing Olympics.

The strategy reflects ASA's commitment to improving athletics in South Africa in the next five years. When we formulated the document we had a goal of achieving a top ten ranking in world athletics. With our sterling performances in Berlin we ended with a top 9 ranking in the World. This brings about pressure on us as we have to at least maintain our position to remain on course with our mission. In order for this strategy to bring the desired results we will need the support of all levels of government, private sector all communities in South Africa.

The strategic plan focuses on improving and strengthening the governance and management of ASA, increasing levels of participation adopting a new approach to infrastructure provision, the establishment of a full time national squad, the establishment of a high performance Centre and finally a new approach to athletics development and mass participation. The strategic plan aims not only to achieve the stated goals and objectives but also to make enormous strides in dealing with the growing challenges of crime, obesity and social cohesion.Our strategy is a result of these two processes and is geared to the achievement of the following Key Result Areas:

a. High Performance - 

The establishment of a National Squad,
The establishment High Performance Centre,
Appointment of a High Performance director and coaches,
The introduction and implementation of a High Performance programme and
The utilisation of sport science and medicine

b. Provincial and Local Capacity Building-

Provision of Management and Technical training and support to provinces
Provision of Fund Raising and sponsorship Training to provinces
Facilitation of partnerships with provincial and local government structures
Introduction of volunteer management programmes in all provinces

c. Management and Governance-

Empowerment of the Board of directors,
Entrenchment of an effective system of Corporate Governance,
Introduction of Performance Management in the organisation
Establishment of an internal Fund Raising and sponsorship function in ASA

d. Development -

Establishment of Community sport Hubs,
Building of a Coaching Network,
Introduction of a Talent Management System,
Implementation of Volunteer management,
Technical Training,
A new national competition system

e. Participation -

Involvement of Local Government,
Marketing and Promotion of athletics,
Integration of school, community and mainstream athletics and
Club development

The Road Ahead

Chair, ASA is today faced with a number of challenges that have beset us because of an undue pressure that has been put on the organisation by opportunists who are set to destroy ASA.  It is interesting that people are using the unfortunate situation of Caster Semenya to settle scores. People have jumped on this issue, using the name of this young woman without understanding and respecting the issues around this matter. Certain structures and individuals jumped on the bandwagon baying for the leadership of ASA to resign allegedly for the manner that ASA has handled the Caster Semenya issue. What our detractors have failed to do is to tell us how best we could have handled the matter.

This has caused the destabilisation of ASA structures throughout the organisation and is causing division of our sport mainly along racial lines.  This is a sad state of affairs, as ASA has since 1994 strived and in large succeeded in building a non-racial sports federation, with democratically elected structures in all 17 member provinces.  

ASA had been forced to address various onslaughts and issues, causing the focus of resources onto these matters and a loss of time in dealing with critical athletics matters, such as team preparation. The sooner the better that issues around the Caster Semenya matter are laid to rest, the sooner ASA can focus on its core business of running athletics.

Having said this, it pains us that structures like SASCOC have publicly announced that they will either reduce or withdraw the funding to ASA. We are worried at this kind of irresponsible behaviour as it is not in the interest of sport but shows the opportunism that is there to destroy ASA. People have forgotten that ASA's preparation plans for 2012 will be the ultimate casualty following the cynicism.

The unfortunate effect of this is that our plans for 2012 could be derailed. Without funding we will not be in a position to prepare adequately for the Games. We are having amongst others a middle and long distance project that has seen our athletes improving in leaps and bounds. Hence the successes of our cross country, half marathon and marathon teams at major international events.

Issued by Athletics South Africa, October 20 2009

Source: http://www.pmg.org.za/

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