ANC CONGRATULATES CASTER SEMENYA

The African National Congress (ANC) congratulates South African athlete Mokgadi "Caster" Semenya on her sterling performance that won her the gold medal in the 800m at the world Athletics Championships in Berlin last night.

Not only has 18-year-old Caster made her family proud but the entire country - a boost for athletics. Her determination to succeed in becoming a world-renowned athlete has made Caster a role model for young athletes.

As we celebrate National Women's Month, we call on all South Africans to rally behind our golden girl and shrug off negative and unwarranted questions about her gender. We condemn the motives of those who have made it their business to question her gender due to her physique and running style. Such comments can only serve to portray women as being weak.

Caster is not the only woman athlete with a masculine build and the International Association of Athletics Federation should know better.

Issued by African National Congress spokesperson, Brian Sokutu, August 20 2009

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