Cape Town - South Africans have united behind middle-distance runner Caster Semenya as international speculation has resurfaced over her gender.
On saturday, the ANC Women’s League hit out at what it termed “unwarranted speculation by the international media” on the ongoing debate over whether Semenya has an unfair advantage.
Social media users across the country have changed their profile pictures and names in support of Semenya.
On Saturday night #HandsoffCasterSemenya was trending on Twitter in South Africa.
Semenya is set to compete in the heats of the women’s 800m on Wednesday, and will be hoping to make it into the final next Sunday.
Women’s League secretary-general Meokgo Matuba said on Saturday the debate on Semenya’s gender in the run-up to the race was “an attack to humiliate and demoralise her”.
“The ANCWL condemns the motives of those who continually perpetrate a view that an African woman has no capacity to excel in sports,” said Matuba.
Matuba’s comments come in the wake of questions by a number of news organisations, including the US magazine Sports Illustrated.
Weekend Argus