Semenya's coach quits
Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:00
Caster Semenya's coach has resigned because she was duped into believing she was undergoing standard doping tests instead of gender tests, according to newspaper reports on Monday.
"I'm so sorry for the part I played; because of my negligence
she went through all that. I am so sorry we let you down," said
Wilfred Daniels, who had been a coach with Athletics SA (ASA) since
1993.
"I had to leave. I just looked at myself and asked if I liked
what I saw. I asked if I could really enjoy my life knowing what I
know... My conscience was too great."
Daniels resigned from his job last week, saying ASA did not
advise Semenya properly on the gender tests, neither did it brief
her on what was happening when the story broke.
"I am not happy. I'm not pointing fingers at anybody because I
am part of the collective responsibility and blame.
"We did not handle Caster properly. The handling of the issue
was atrocious," said Daniels.
The International Association of Athletics Federations announced
that gender tests would be done on Semenya after she won the 800
metres gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin
last month.
ASA president Leonard Chuene declined to comment on Daniels'
resignation.
"He has resigned - like anyone else resigning as far as I am
concerned. If he has a story, then he must tell it," said Chuene.