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Coach: Gender tests not explained to Semenya
2009-09-07
JOHANNESBURG - The remorseful coach of a South African runner whose gender has been questioned has resigned over the way her case was handled, saying she wasn't told what was being done when she was given tests in South Africa. Wilfred Daniels' comments in South African media Monday contradicted statements from top Athletics South Africa officials who have accused the IAAF, track and field's international governing body, of publicly humiliating top athlete Caster Semenya while denying any responsibility on their part. The South African officials have said tests were done only abroad, not in South Africa. Athletics South Africa President Leonard Chuene told The Associated Press that Daniels' statements were "wild allegations," and that he did not consider Daniels to be Semenya's coach. The Star, a Johannesburg daily, quoted Daniels on Monday as saying tests were done in South Africa in July, before Semenya won the 800-meter race at the world championships in Germany last month. Daniels told The Star Semenya believed she was undergoing a doping test. Daniels told South Africa's Talk Radio 702 "the tests were not properly explained to her." He did not say if results had been determined. "I'm so sorry for the part I played," Daniels told The Star. "Because of my negligence she went through all that." Attempts by The Associated Press to reach Daniels were not immediately successful Monday. Chuene called on Daniels to prove his statements. Until then, Chuene said, "wild allegations will remain wild allegations." He said that while Daniels had conducted coaching clinics for the track authority, his main role was coordinating activities for Semenya and other runners. South Africa and the world are still awaiting word from the IAAF on the results of Semenya's tests. "Now that this is in the public arena ... will there be confidentiality at the end, or not?" Chuene said. He said top South African track officials were meeting this weekend to determine their next step in Semenya's case. He would not say what options they were considering.
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