Christopher Barnes (left), deputy managing director of The Gleaner Company Limited, gives Olive Green (right) a certificate of appreciation for her 35 years of service to the company, while Miss Jamaica World Kerrie Baylis looks on. Green was one of 21 employees recognised for their service to the company during a luncheon held at The Gleaner's North Street offices in Kingston. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Freelance Photographer
International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) official Neville 'Teddy' McCook has weighed in on the controversy surrounding South African World Championship gold medallist Caster Semenya.
McCook, former head of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, yesterday chastised critics for accusing the IAAF of treating Semenya unfairly.
The issue was raised when it was revealed in the media that gender tests were ordered on Semenya by the IAAF before the 800-metre final in Berlin, Germany. Semenya won that race in 1:55.45 seconds to record the fastest time this year. It was later claimed in the Australian media that tests showed Semenya had both female and male characteristics. The IAAF did not confirm or deny the report.
Jumping to conclusions
Several critics have said the IAAF did not handle the matter properly, with South African officials saying the athlete's privacy and dignity were breached. It was later revealed that the president of Athletics South Africa, Leonard Chuene, had lied about knowing that Semenya had been tested in South Africa.
Speaking at the Gleaner Company's annual long-service awards ceremony, held at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston offices yesterday, McCook said the media and other critics had jumped to conclusions without analysing the facts.
"I have read on different occasions in different media houses where individuals have accused the international federation of insensitivity, treated the individual (unfairly) because she is black, and all sorts of different reasons," he said.
"Look at the scenario folks. Here is a youngster who, last year, was a junior participating in a world competition. Out of 44 participants, she had the 35th-fastest time."
Normal improvement
He added: "Of course, the record that she made there, the time that she put out, clearly was out of whack with what would be considered a normal improvement. We all look and say Usain Bolt has made tremendous strides. We saw Usain Bolt from he was 13 ... so we were able to see the progression."
During the awards ceremony, 21 long-time employees of The Gleaner were recognised for their service to the company.
The employees, whose years of service ranged from 10 to 40, were encouraged by McCook to continue to keep up their efforts as they had helped to develop not only an organisation, but the nation.