Runner Semenya, SAfricans dismiss gender uproar

[August 20, 2009]  BERLIN (AP) -- A day after winning her first 800-meter world title amid a gender test controversy, South African teenager Caster Semenya's father dismissed any speculation his daughter is not a woman.

The 18-year-old runner's father, Jacob, tells the Sowetan newspaper: "she is my little girl. ... I raised her and I have never doubted her gender. She is a woman and I can repeat that a million times."

Semenya dominated her rivals to win the 800 on Wednesday despite revelations that surfaced earlier in the day that she was undergoing a gender verification test because of concerns she does not meet the requirements to compete as a woman.

The medal ceremony for the 800 is later Thursday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BERLIN (AP) -- A day after winning her first 800-meter world title amid a gender test controversy, teenager Caster Semenya -- and her fellow South Africans -- were left wondering what all the fuss was about.

Semenya dominated her rivals to win the 800 on Wednesday despite revelations that surfaced earlier in the day that she was undergoing a gender verification test because of concerns she does not meet the requirements to compete as a woman.

The 18-year-old runner's father, Jacob, dismissed the speculation, telling the Sowetan newspaper: "she is my little girl. ... I raised her and I have never doubted her gender. She is a woman and I can repeat that a million times."

The medal ceremony for the 800 is later Thursday.

[Associated Press]

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