What Can We Learn From Caster Semenya's Pain?

The lessons and issues that are budding from this single controversy are potentially many and significant. Significant to at least at least one in every 3000 persons (and their families) who have one of the 46 intersex conditions.

There is no doubt the issue is complex. According to Dr Peter Bowen-Simpkins, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 'The sporting bodies don't have an agreed definition of sex. Cases like this may force them to define this particular issue.' Surely the IAAF has learned its lesson and that definition is being determined as you read this. It certainly must be done as must proper enforcement of the protocol surrounding gender verification tests. There can be no doubt that protocol exists - but it certainly wasn't followed, but I am fairly certain this situation won't be repeated.

Nevertheless, one of the positive by-products of this tragic debacle is the rising awareness about intersex conditions and the plight of those who live with them, or struggle to live with them. Fortunately there has been much sensitivity and sympathy offered to Semenya, but also much vitriol, apathy or dogmatic assertion about the unambiguousness of gender. But, we are all learning, things aren't so simple for some of us.

We have also remembered that the spectres of racial and gender prejudice are alive and well. Certainly concerns about the definitions of beauty and womanhood come in to sharp focus as there are persons of both sexes who may struggle with similar cosmetic issues without the biological complication - but are burned by the fallout nonetheless. Regarding race, some argue that had Semenya been white, none of this would have come out in the way it did. Well, if there are any white 'female' athletes in a similar position to Semenya's we can safely say their cases were handled with extreme discretion.

To be sure, we have learned that athletes have been the most professional amongst all the players in this dilemma. None of her competitors and no other athletes have said anything degrading or untoward about Semenya through this all. At least none that have received any coverage to speak of. Jenny Meadows of Great Britain was asked her opinion on Semenya after finishing 3rd in the World Championships, but she gave as diplomatic an answer as one could wish for. However the media, the IAAF and even the ASA and South African Government have demonstrated something along the spectrum between  incompetence and oversight.

There will be more lessons and issues arising from this young 18 year old who plunged the world of athletics into turmoil. But it can yet have a happy ending. How? Let's hope we find out.