South Africa to name stadium after Semenya
August 28 - South Africa plans to name a new stadium near her home in Limpopo Province after Caster Semenya (pictured), the controversial world 800 metres champion, it has been announced.
The Mayor of the Capricorn District municipality, Motalane Monakedi, said plans were in place by the Limpopo Provincial Government to start the construction on five stadiums in the province early next year.
The one closest to where Semenya grew up would be called the Caster Semenya Stadium, he said.
Monakedi said R10,000 million (£792,000) had already been approved by the municipality to put into the development of sport in the Ga-Masehlong village following Semenya's victory at the World Championships in Berlin which has been overshadowed by reports that the world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, are conducting gender tests on her.
Monakedi led the celebrations as Semenya returned home to a heroes welcome today.
He said: "It was unfair and humiliating for Caster to have been treated in that way.
"She grew up here as a girl and is now a woman in our community."
Semenya has been blocked from talking to the media by Athletics South Africa but her grandfather, Albert, spoke on behalf of the family.
He said: "We trust in God, because God knows who she is.
"As a family we praise Caster because she is a hero.
"But in the village she has been known like this [muscularly built].
"And in an African culture, one is more negative than positive about such things.
"But now she has become a role model."
Related Stories:
| August 2009: | Thousands welcome Semenya home to South Africa |
| August 2009: | Huge welcome home expected for Semenya |
| August 2009: | Diack launches investigation as support grows for Semenya |
| August 2009: | Semenya family shrug off doubts over gender |
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