‘You are not here for a doping test. You are here for a gender test’: athlete Caster Semenya on how her life changed for ever
In this extract from her autobiography, the South African runner reveals what went on behind the scenes at the 2009 world championships in Berlin
• ‘I’m a woman. I’m a different woman’: read an interview with Semenya
The day before I was due to leave for the world championships in Berlin, I got an early morning phone call. Athletics South Africa had reached out and were sending someone to meet with me about “some tests”. They didn’t say what tests, and I assumed it was the usual kind.
A nurse met me in the waiting area and escorted me to a patient room. There were two chairs and an examining table with what I now know are stirrups. I had never seen those before. Soon, an older man entered and introduced himself as a Dr Oscar Shimange, a gynaecologist. “Yes … Hello. What’s this?” I pointed to the table. “I’m here for a doping test, Doctor.” Dr Shimange sat in the chair across from me. He looked at me and brought his thumb and forefinger up to the bridge of his nose. “No, Ms Semenya. Did these people not tell you what you are here for? You are not here for a doping test. I have been asked to perform a gender test on you.”