JOHANNESBURG — Former President Nelson Mandela has congratulated South African runner Caster Semenya, whose dramatic improvement, deep voice and muscular build have sparked questions about her gender.
The International Association of Athletics Federations initiated tests on the 18-year-old athlete after she won gold in the 800 meters at the world championships in Germany last week.
South Africans have rallied behind Semenya, who returned home to a hero's welcome Tuesday.
Semenya and two other medalists met briefly with Mandela in Johannesburg Wednesday. They posed for pictures with Mandela, who turned 91 last month.
Semenya said that she had wanted to meet Mandela for a long time and that she couldn't wait to tell her father about the visit.
______
In photo: South Africa's athlete Caster Semenya gestures after her arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Aug 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The International Association of Athletics Federations initiated tests on the 18-year-old athlete after she won gold in the 800 meters at the world championships in Germany last week.
South Africans have rallied behind Semenya, who returned home to a hero's welcome Tuesday.
Semenya and two other medalists met briefly with Mandela in Johannesburg Wednesday. They posed for pictures with Mandela, who turned 91 last month.
Semenya said that she had wanted to meet Mandela for a long time and that she couldn't wait to tell her father about the visit.
______
In photo: South Africa's athlete Caster Semenya gestures after her arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday Aug 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
