Seriously, if you have to ask, then you should probably just keep your mouth shut. Because nothing good is going to come of asking.

The question? Whether or not 18-year-old South African runner Caster Semenya, who won the 800-meter race at the World Athletics Championship in Berlin, is a chick or a dude.

Imagine crossing the finish line to thunderous applause, accolades, etc. Job well done after pouring so much effort into this race. And then, some insensitive prick says, wait, are you actually a girl?

NPR reports:

"Suspicions fueled by Semenya's appearance and athletic performance have
dogged her for years. A principal at a school she attended told the Star
of South Africa, "Some schools, suspecting that she was not a girl,
even demanded that her status be checked. But each time they returned
from the toilet, she would be cleared and the competition would resume."
Old NID
58621

Donate

Please donate so science experts can write for the public.

At Science 2.0, scientists are the journalists, with no political bias or editorial control. We can't do it alone so please make a difference.

Donate with PayPal button 
We are a nonprofit science journalism group operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that's educated over 300 million people.

You can help with a tax-deductible donation today and 100 percent of your gift will go toward our programs, no salaries or offices.

Latest reads

Article teaser image
Donald Trump does not have the power to rescind either constitutional amendments or federal laws by mere executive order, no matter how strongly he might wish otherwise. No president of the United…
Article teaser image
The Biden administration recently issued a new report showing causal links between alcohol and cancer, and it's about time. The link has been long-known, but alcohol carcinogenic properties have been…
Article teaser image
In British Iron Age society, land was inherited through the female line and husbands moved to live with the wife’s community. Strong women like Margaret Thatcher resulted.That was inferred due to DNA…