NUMSA condemns the racist savage attack on Caster Semenya
30 April 2018
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) which represents 340 thousand Metalworkers and their families stands in solidarity with Mokgadi Caster Semenya who is under attack from the International Association of Athletes Federation (IAAF). From November this year, the IAAF will be forcing female athletes with high levels of naturally occurring testosterone, to take medication to reduce it, or have surgery to reduce their levels, if they want to compete. The ruling only covers female mid to long distance runners and is intended to target Caster Semenya.
From the time that Caster emerged in the athletics field she has dominated in her field. She is a two time gold medallist Olympic winner in the 800 m race in 2012 and again in 2016; she has won two gold medals at the 2009 and 2017 World Championships for the 800 meters; and a few days ago she smashed the world record in the Commonwealth Games and won gold after completing the 1500 m race in only four minutes. She is phenomenal.
It is precisely because of her brilliance that reactionary forces in the IAAF are determined to end her reign in the sports arena. The IAAF is saying that Caster’s brilliance is based on the fact that she has increased levels of testosterone. There is no scientific proof that naturally occuring testosterone enhances physical strength, let alone talent at any sport! Caster derives no sporting advantage from her testosterone levels. As NUMSA we reject these ridiculous claims with the scientific contempt they deserve. Will we now start cutting down the legs of tall basketball players because they have an unnatural advantage, because of their height?
Caster is simply an exceptional athlete, who leaves her competition literally eating her dust, and she does so consistently, without the need for performance enhancing drugs. In response, the IAAF wants to force her to infuse unnatural substances into her body to diminish her natural speed and her ability. The world must reject this savage intrusion into Caster’s body and sporting life.