Media Attention

In a sport which only receives widespread media attention during the three big competitions (Olympics, Commonwealth and World Championships) athletics has been thrusted on to the front pages this week. The story getting the attention centres around Caster Semenya but its not the news of her Gold Medal in the 800 meters but the allegations surrounding he gender which is getting the attention.

Now a month ago on the street if you had asked the average person on the street who was Caster Semenya? A good 99.9% of people would not know but now she is the name on everyone’s lips. The only thing she has done is win a race and now she is the subject of debate and at times ridicule.

I think Caster the runner from South Africa has been put in a terrible situation which could have and should have been avoided. Her local governing body should have known something like this may happen and should have done something about it. Then failing that the athletics body at the games should have stepped in when she arrived.

To have people talking about you around the world because of you talent is pressure enough but to have people debating your gender is much more personal and damaging especially if you have never been in the spotlight before. We should be talking about her talent the same as if anybody else had won and then wait for the results of the tests without jumping to any conclusions.

This situation may also form a new debate on whether or not other criteria as well as gender should come in to play when deciding on who is eligible to enter which race which is a whole new can of worms altogether.

Adam Sibley
Founder of the Talented Young People organisation
www.talentedyoungpeople.com
"Envisage it, Believe it, Achieve it!"
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