South Africans stood up on social media to say #handsoffcaster when Great Britain’s Lynsey Sharp tearfully questioned the new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruling, that allowed hyperandrogenic athletes to participate in the Olympics.
Sharp’s apprehension might have been sparked by IAAF president Sebastian Coe’s last minute statement that policies limiting natural testosterone levels in female athletes would be challenged.
Despite the Sharp debate that was sparked online and across social media platforms, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula‚ welcomed Semenya with the rest of the South African team, awarding her an extra R100 000 for her achievement at the Olympics.
Throughout the seven-year-scrutiny Semenya has remained strong and silent.