SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016
Peace on da Street
Summer Camp, Page 2
Antinique Young all set to begin career at Miami Dade By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ANTINIQUE Young, a double high school and night league champion this year, has her bags packed and is ready to travel to Miami, Florida, on August 14 to begin her collegiate career at Miami Dade where Bahamian female basketball players have left a rich history with the Sharks programme under the supervision of coach Susan Summons. Summons, whose mother is Bahamian from Abaco, was in town over the weekend to complete the process for Young, who follows in the footsteps of Alexandria ‘Shaq’ Fernander-McCoy, Jarelle Nairn and Shavonda Clarke, all former Angels’ players, who played for Miami Dade along with Grand Bahamian Yolett McPhee-Mc-
Cuin, now the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Jacksonville University. “Bahamian players like Shavonda Clarke, Yolett McPhee, Jurelle Nairn, Alexander Fernandez and Cristin Seymour have all benefited from the Miami Dade College academic and athletic tradition of success,” Summons said. “These students maintained their focus, work hard in academics to graduate and earn associate of arts degrees and we placed them in NCAA D1 programmes like the Univ of Miami, Barry University, University of Rhode Island, Mercer University, Kennesaw University and Murray State University. “As an American-Bahamian professor and coach, I take a lot of pride in reaching back to give a Bahamian student the opportunity at college, each and every year since being at Miami Dade
ANTINIQUE YOUNG in action. College. This actually marked the historical of 30 years, moving up as one of the top eight winningest
coaches in America (community colleges) and marked 500 wins, making me among some of the top NCAA D1 and NJCAA D1 coaches in America to do so.” Summons said Young is expected to follow the tradition of the players before her. “She will see much action through hard work and training,” Summons said. “She will represent the Bahamian country, her family and community with honour. Congratulations to another Bahamian player who receives a Miami Dade College scholarship.” Summons said she is excited about the opportunity to train, mentor and inspire Young, who was highly recommended by McPhee-McCuin. Coming off a most valuable player performance in leading the Doris Johnson Mystic Mar-
lins to the Government Secondary Schools Sports Associations senior girls championship and the Bommer G Lady Operators to the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association crown, Young said she’s excited about her transition to the collegiate level. “I feel that God has a plan for my life and I’m very thankful and grateful to go and represent.” she said. “I have a tradition to uphold seeing that many of our Bahamian women went through Miami Dade and are very successful in today’s life. All I can really say is I’ll make the best out of it.” Young, 19, said Summons has already advised her that she’s expecting her to bring that same intensity as the fellow Bahamians that attend Miami Dade. “She wants me to be the best
SEE PAGE 2
Can Shaunae strike gold in 400m at Rio Olympics?
MEDAL PREDICTION: A respected American news agency is predicting that the Bahamas will win one medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro – a silver for 400m star Shaunae Miller. The Associated Press released its predictions yesterday for the track and field competition in Brazil this month and forecast Miller to finish behind the American Allyson Felix, despite the Bahamian running the world’s fastest time this year of 49.55 seconds and being consistently quick all season. Felix won the world championship gold ahead of Miller in Beijing last year. Another American, Phyllis Francis, is predicted to take the bronze medal in the final on August 15. No other Bahamian track and field athletes are forecast to get medals, including the men’s 4 x 400m relay squad who will be defending the title they won in London four years ago. (AP) SEE THE RIO OLYMPICS MEDAL PROJECTIONS FOR ATHLETICS ON PAGE 4
Artie Johnson All Eleuthera Youth Tennis Camp a great success THERE was a great showing once again at the 17th Annual Artie Johnson All Eleuthera Youth Tennis Camp, dubbed a great success by tennis organiser Artie Johnson. “There was an average of 45 kids at the camp on a daily basis. The theme of the camp this year was ‘Tennis For Hunger,’ where the children, assisted by the organisers, were able to gather non-perishable foods and deliver the food packages to the elderly in Palmetto Point, Governor’s Harbour and James Cistern in Eleuthera,” said a press release. The organisers also went to Harbour Island for a week of camp and over 60 kids were in attendance along with coach Dwight Stewart. There were many local leading citizens who im-
YOUNG CAMPERS enjoy the 17th Annual Artie Johnson All Eleuthera Youth Tennis Camp. parted knowledge to the kids each day, including Rev Godfrey Bethel and
Ms Bethel, Pastor Clarence Thompson, Ms Kathy Coleman, Mr Darrold Smith,
Ms Agaither Bethel, and Rev Kevin Pinder. One of the speakers chal-
lenged one of the junior players to a set and we will just say he was “loved.”
Camp organiser Artie Johnson said he saw a lot of great potential among the kids this year. He extended thanks to the many sponsors of this year’s tennis camp, and volunteers Alva Nixon, Parry Culmer, Shamar Culmer, Sharon Culmer, and Cortez Cooper. “The development of tennis on the islands is fundamental to the growth of the sport in The Bahamas. “This summer camp not only developed these kids in the sport of tennis but provided overall development as the kids were trained in giving back to the community. “This is a great effort and Mr Johnson is to be commended for his hard work with continuing the development of tennis and the heart of the children in Eleuthera.”
PAGE 2, Wednesday, August 3, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
COCA-COLA GOES FOR GOLD IN RIO OLYMPICS WITH THE GLOBAL #THATSGOLD CAMPAIGN AS the clock ticks down to the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Coca-Cola has its eyes set on celebrating gold – but not just the gold found on top of the world’s most elite podium. In the 88th year of this special partnership, Coca-Cola will celebrate with fans across the world the gold feeling that comes from accomplishing something great, however simple, in an everyday moment. “While the gold medal is an icon of sporting success, Coca-Cola believes that gold moments can happen far beyond the podium. They can happen every day and all around the world,” Cara Douglas, marketing manager at Caribbean Bottling Company, local producer of Coca-Cola. “For Coca-Cola, gold moments are made of special feelings – joyful, refreshing, sharable – all of those moments that make you feel gold, just like the feeling of drinking an ice-cold Coca-Cola. We look forward to bringing #ThatsGold to life in The Bahamas and around the
world this summer.” #ThatsGold, which is rolling out around the world, will come to life through Global Television and Print Campaign and out-of-home campaign, featuring famous gold moments from previous Olympic Games and the faces of some of the most famous athletes from around the world, including our very own Olympic swimmer, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace. In line with the recent “Taste the Feeling” global creative campaign, the images featured in the global creative depict authentic, real gold moments on and off the podium with a CocaCola, Diet Coke, or CocaCola Zero. The television ads centre on the gold moments that happen both on and off the podium during the Olympic Games. Additionally, in the lead up to the Games, CocaCola has been the presenting partner of the Olympic flame on its incredible 95day journey through Brazil as part of the Rio 2016 Olympic Torch Relay. By the time the torch arrives
of athletes, and general public. Here in the Bahamas you see pieces of the campaign in our local food stores, #ThatsGold pop-up activations, billboards, television ads, and social media activities.
LOCALLY, Coca-Cola will feature our very own Olympic swimmer Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace. in Rio de Janeiro, the flame will have been carried by over 12,000 people, having visited 320 cities, covering 20,000km on land, and over 16,000km by air. Nearly 2,000 Coca-Cola torchbearers are helping
the flame reach the most remote and diverse corners of Brazil, chosen based upon the inspiring work they have done in their communities, for embracing positivity and for the gold spirit with which they bring peo-
ple together. The Bahamas is one of more than 50 markets activating #ThatsGold globally. The campaign will come to life through an integrated marketing programme that incorporates an elite group
Historic Partnership The Rio 2016 Olympic Games marks 88 years of partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Movement. “As an Olympic sponsor since 1928, we believe the Olympic Games are a force for good that unite people through a common interest in sports, and we have seen first-hand the positive impact and long-lasting legacy they leave on the communities of the host nations,” said Douglas. “We support the core values of the Olympic Movement – excellence, friendship and respect – and are proud to continue our role in helping to make the Olympics a memorable experience for athletes, fans and communities all around the world.”
Day 2: ‘Shooting Hoops Instead of Guns’
SUMMER CAMP: Organiser Carlos Reid, Youth Against Violence and The Hope Centre are staging another version of the Peace on da Street Basketball Classic under the theme, “Shooting Hoops Instead of Guns.” The games are being played on the outdoor courts just recently completed at The Hope Centre. On the final night of competition on Friday, the event will return to the KGLI Gymnasium. Eight teams are participating in four divisions - the elimination process continues 5pm daily at The Hope Centre. On Friday, August 5, dubbed “Family Night,” the championship games will be played, starting at 5pm, along with the Pastors versus the Politicians game, the Sunshine Auto Slam Dunk and the Rubis Three-Point Shootout. Photos by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
ANTINIQUE YOUNG ALL SET TO BEGIN CAREER WITH THE SHARKS AT MIAMI DADE FROM PAGE 1
that I can be, stay focused and be dedicated to bringing a title back there,” Young said. “She’s really rooting for me. I’m looking forward to developing more physically and mentally. I want to be the best that I can be, faster, quicker and stronger. I want to be unstoppable.” As the first member of her family to attend college, Young said she just wants to continue to make her parents - Antoinette and Jerome Young - proud. “This is a new beginning for me and I’m ready to take on the chal-
lenge,” said Young, who intends to pursue a degree in business and finance. She credited a number of persons for her progress, including Kevon Spence, who coached her at Doris Johnson after she was taught to play the game under the tutelage of Sharelle Cash. In addition, she said her game continued to flourish playing under coach Anthony Swaby and Donnie Culmer as a teammate of Cash with the Operators. “My performance here in high school was one of the best,” she reflected. “Running the bridge
and working out on the sand with my coach Kevon Spence made me a more dominant force individually to conquer the high school league and to be ranked No.1 overall in the Bahamas. “As for the night league, coach Swaby and coach Culmer exposed me more with the competition level being higher. I had to step up my game.” Now as she prepares to leave the Bahamas, Young said she’s going with a lot of expectations to succeed. Swaby, who has worked tirelessly in helping a number of female
players to secure athletic scholarships, said Young is destined for greatness and has the potential to keep the Bahamian legacy alive at Miami Dade. “She still has to get focused and learn how the ladies participate at the college level,” Swaby said. “Every night she has at Miami Dade, she has to bring her A game. She’s very talented, so I know that she will be able to adjust and fit right into the system there.” If there’s anything that Swaby would like to see Young improve on, it’s her ability to take over the
game. “She has at times, let other people overshadow her by giving them the ball when she should be controlling it,” he said. “The game comes so easy for her. This is college, so it’s going to be a little different from what she experienced here. But she has a very good background and has a lot of examples to rely on. “Players like Alexandria Fernander-McCoy, Jurell Nairn, Shavonda Clarke and Yolett McPhee all went there and they left their mark, so she has some shoes to fill,” Swaby said.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 3, 2016, PAGE 3
Annual volleyball tournament champions crowned
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: The Technicians held their annual volleyball tournament at the DW Davis Gym over the weekend. The Central Gas Lady Panthers (left) carted off the ladies’ title, while the men’s crown went to the Scotiabank Defenders (right).
Meet our Olympians Name: LEEVAN SANDS Nickname: Superman, Skelly, Nero Age:34 High School: Temple Christian High School and Florida Air Academy College: Auburn University Best subject: Math Event (s): Triple Jump Best time (s): 17.58m (57’8”) Coached by whom: Myself Medals won: Commonwealth Games Bronze, World Championship Bronze, Olympic Bronze, Pan Am Silver Medal, CAC multiple Gold Favourite colour: Red Favourite food: Curry anything lol Favourite movie: Rush Hour Idol: God and ‘my ole man’ (Super Dad) Parents: Leevan Sands St and Elaine Sands Sibling (s): D’angelo Sands, Vandia Sands and Bria Sands Status - Married, engaged, single: Married Kids: Leevan III, Lion and Legend Sands Expectations for Rio: I want to continue my medal hunt from the previous Lon-
don Olympics. To me, I feel like I have already won regardless of the outcome especially after returning from that devastating knee injury back in the 2012 Olympics. Again, my goal is to get pass the qualifying round,
then try my best through God to bring home a medal for my country. • The Tribune is featuring profiles of the Bahamian Olympians daily in the buildup to the 2016 Games in Brazil next month
TRIPLE JUMPER LEEVAN SANDS
PAGE 4, Wednesday, August 3, 2016
THE TRIBUNE
2016 RIO OLYMPICS MEDAL PROJECTIONS: ATHLETICS By The Associated Press MEDAL projections in athletics for the 2016 Rio Olympics, compiled from predictions by the staff of The Associated Press who cover each sport: ATHLETICS MEN 100m Gold: Usain Bolt, Jamaica Silver: Justin Gatlin, United States Bronze: Trayvon Bromell, United States 200 Gold: Usain Bolt, Jamaica Silver: LaShawn Merritt, United States Bronze: Justin Gatlin, United States 400 Gold: LaShawn Merritt, United States Silver: Wayde van Niekerk, South Africa Bronze: Kirani James, Grenada 800 Gold: David Rudisha, Kenya Silver: Alfred Kipketer, Kenya Bronze: Boris Berian, United States 1,500 Gold: Asbel Kiprop, Kenya Silver: Ronald Kwemoi, Kenya Bronze: Elijah M Manangoi, Kenya 5,000 Gold: Mo Farah, Britain Silver: Dejen Gebremeskel, Ethiopia Bronze: Muktar Edris, Ethiopia 10,000 Gold: Mo Farah, Britain Silver: Yigrem Demelash, Ethiopia Bronze: William Malel Sitonik, Kenya Marathon Gold: Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya Silver: Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, Eritrea Bronze: Stanley Biwott, Kenya 110 Hurdles Gold: Omar McLeod, Jamaica Silver: Hansle Parchment, Jamaica Bronze: Devon Allen, United States 400 Hurdles Gold: Kerron Clement, United States Silver: Michael Tinsley, United States Bronze: Yasmani Copello, Turkey 3,000 Steeplechase Gold: Conseslus Kipruto, Kenya Silver: Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenya Bronze: Brimin Kipruto, Kenya 20K Walk Gold: Eiki Takahashi, Japan Silver: Wang Zhen, China Bronze: Miguel Angel Lopez, Spain
50K Walk Gold: Jared Tallent, Australia Silver: Yohann Diniz, France Bronze: Takayuki Tanii, Japan
400 Hurdles Gold: Dalilah Muhammad, United States Silver: Janieve Russell, Jamaica Bronze: Sydney McLaughlin, United States
Decathlon Gold: Ashton Eaton, United States Silver: Damian Warner, Canada Bronze: Arthur Abele, Germany
3,000 Steeplechase Gold: Ruth Jebet, Bahrain Silver: Emma Coburn, United States Bronze: Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, Kenya
Long Jump Gold: Greg Rutherford, Britain Silver: Jarrion Lawson, United States Bronze: Fabrice Lapierre, Australia
20K Walk Gold: Liu Hong, China Silver: Lu Xiuzhi, China Bronze: Maria G Gonzalez, Mexico
Triple Jump Gold: Christian Taylor, United States Silver: Will Claye, United States Bronze: Dong Bin, China
Heptathlon Gold: Brianne Theisen-Eaton, Canada Silver: Jessica Ennis-Hill, Britain Bronze: Laura I-Admidina, Latvia
High Jump Gold: Mutaz Essa Barshim, Qatar Silver: Derek Drouin, Canada Bronze: Erik Kynard, United States Pole Vault Gold: Renaud Lavillenie, France Silver: Shawn Barber, Canada Bronze: Sam Kendricks, United States Javelin Gold: Thomas Rohler, Germany Silver: Zigismunds Sirmais, Latvia Bronze: Julius Yego, Kenya Discus Gold: Piotr Malachowski, Poland Silver: Philip Milanov, Belgium Bronze: Christoph Harting, Germany Shot Put Gold: Joe Kovacs, United States Silver: David Storl, Germany Bronze: Ryan Crouser, United States Hammer Gold: Pawel Fajdek, Poland Silver: Ivan Tsikhan, Belarus Bronze: Dilshod Nazarov, Tajikistan 4x100 Relay Gold: Jamaica Silver: United States Bronze: Canada 4x400 Relay Gold: United States Silver: Britain Bronze: Trinidad and Tobago WOMEN 100m Gold: Tori Bowie, United States Silver: Dafne Schippers, Netherlands Bronze: English Gardner, United States 200 Gold: Dafne Schippers, Netherlands
Long Jump Gold: Brittney Reese, United States Silver: Tianna Bartoletta, United States Bronze: Brooke Stratton, Australia IT HAS been predicted that our very own Shaunae Miller will win the silver medal in the 400 metres at the Rio Olympics behind American Allyson Felix (gold) and ahead of American Phyllis Francis (bronze).
Triple Jump Gold: Caterine Ibarguen, Colombia Silver: Yulimar Rojas, Venezuela Bronze: Paraskevi Papachristou, Greece
Silver: Tori Bowie, United States Bronze: Elaine Thompson, Jamaica
High Jump Gold: Chaunte Lowe, United States Silver: Ruth Beitia, Spain Bronze: V Cunningham, United States
400 Gold: Allyson Felix, United States Silver: Shaunae Miller, Bahamas Bronze: Phyllis Francis, United States
Pole Vault Gold: Jenn Suhr, United States Silver: Fabiana Murer, Brazil Bronze: Ekaterini Stefanidi, Greece
800 Gold: Caster Semenya, South Africa Silver: Francine Niyonsaba, Burundi Bronze: Eunice Sum, Kenya
Javelin Gold: B Spotakova, Czech Republic Silver: Christin Hussong, Germany Bronze: Tatsiana Khaladovich, Belarus
1,500 Gold: Genzebe Dibaba, Ethiopia Silver: Faith C Kipyegon, Kenya Bronze: Laura Muir, Britain
Discus Gold: Sandra Perkovic, Croatia Silver: Yaime Perez, Cuba Bronze: Julia Fischer, Germany
5,000 Gold: Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia Silver: Hellen Obiri, Kenya Bronze: Mercy Cherono, Kenya
Shot Put Gold: Valerie Adams, New Zealand Silver: Michelle Carter, United States Bronze: Gong Lijiao, China
10,000 Gold: Almaz Ayana, Ethiopia Silver: Alice Aprot Nawowuna, Kenya Bronze: Gelete Burka, Ethiopia
Hammer Gold: Anita Wlodarczyk, Poland Silver: Betty Heidler, Germany Bronze: Gwen Berry, United States
Marathon Gold: Jemima Sumgong, Kenya Silver: Helah Kiprop, Kenya Bronze: Mare Dibaba, Ethiopia
4x100 Relay Gold: United States Silver: Jamaica Bronze: Netherlands
100 Hurdles Gold: Brianna Rollins, United States Silver: Kristi Castlin, United States Bronze: Cindy Roleder, Germany
4x400 Relay Gold: United States Silver: Jamaica Bronze: Britain
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 3, 2016, PAGE 5
IOC members reject the ‘nuclear option’, bash anti-doping agency By STEPHEN WILSON AP Sports Writer RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — IOC President Thomas Bach lashed out yesterday against those calling for the “nuclear option’” — a complete ban on Russian athletes from the Rio de Janeiro Games — as he and other members blamed global anti-doping officials for a scandal that has rattled the Olympic movement. Bach opened the International Olympic Committee’s three-day general assembly by seeking formal backing of the members for the executive board’s handling of the Russian doping scandal. After a debate lasting more than two hours, Bach asked for a show of hands, and only one of the 85 members — Britain’s Adam Pengilly —voted against his position. Despite evidence of a state-run doping programme in Russia, the IOC board rejected calls for a total ban and left it to international sports federations to decide on the entry of individual Russian athletes for the games, which open on Friday. Bach again blamed the World Anti-Doping Agency for failing to act sooner on evidence of state-backed doping in Russia and releasing its findings so close to the start of the games. He said it would be wrong to make individual Russian athletes “collateral damage” for the wrongdoing of their government. “Leaving aside that such a comparison is completely out of any proportion when it comes to the rules of sport, let us just for a moment consider the consequences of a ‘nuclear option,’” Bach said. “The result is death and devastation. This is not what the Olympic Movement stands for. The cynical ‘collateral damage’
approach is not what the Olympic movement stands for.” “What is therefore not acceptable is the insinuation by some proponents of this ‘nuclear option’ that anyone who does not share their opinion is not fighting against doping,” he added. The IOC has been roundly criticised by many antidoping bodies, athletes’ groups and Western media for not apply a complete ban on the Russian team. Pressure for a full ban grew after WADA investigator Richard McLaren issued a report accusing Russia’s sports ministry of orchestrating a vast doping conspiracy involving athletes across more than two dozen summer and winter Olympic sports. “Natural justice does not allow us to deprive a human being of the right to prove their innocence,” Bach said. Underlying the deep split between Olympic leaders and anti-doping officials, Bach said it was WADA — not the IOC — that was responsible for the doping crisis. “It is not the IOC that is responsible for the accreditation and supervision of anti-doping laboratories,” he said. “The IOC has no authority over the testing programme of athletes outside the Olympic Games. The IOC has no authority to follow up on information about the failings of the testing system.” Israeli member Alex Gilady echoed that view. “I think it’s not the reputation of the IOC that has to be restored, it’s the reputation of WADA,” he said. Argentine member Gerardo Werthein also laid into WADA, saying “the failure to investigate serious and credible allegations more swiftly has left the sports movement ... in a very difficult position facing incredibly difficult deci-
INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach speaks on Monday during the opening ceremony of the 129th International Olympic Committee session, in Rio de Janeiro on August 1, 2016, ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (AP) sions in an impossible timeframe.” “At times WADA has seemed to be more interested in publicity and selfpromotion rather than doing its job as a regulator,” Werthein said. WADA President Craig Reedie of Britain, who is also an IOC vice president, spoke only at the end of debate to say that he would respond today in his report about his agency’s activities. Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov claimed there was a political campaign against Russia and cited “discrimination” against clean ath-
letes not connected to doping. “I urge you to resist this unprecedented pressure that is now on the entire Olympic movement and not to let this pressure to split the entire Olympic family,” he said. Zhukov also took a swipe at WADA. “Why should WADA not be responsible for the violations made by the anti-doping labs it has accredited?” he said. US member Larry Probst said it was wrong to attribute the problem to “international politics.” “We have a doping problem,” the US Olympic Committee chairman said.
“And it’s not just Russia, it’s global. The current system is broken and we need to fix the problem.” Bach’s position received support from most of the speakers during the debate, although some questioned the IOC decision to keep Russian whistleblower Yulia Stepanova — an 800-metre runner who helped expose systematic doping in her homeland — out of the games. “If there was to be one exception, it should have been her,” Richard Peterkin of St Lucia said. The strongest criticism came from Canadian member Dick Pound, a former
president of WADA who has been outspoken in calling for a complete ban on Russia — something he had previously called “the nuclear option.” He said the reputation of the IOC was on the line. “We need to do a lot more to show that we really do care about fair play, honest competition and clean athletes,” he said. By the end, however, Pound was among the 84 members who voted in favour. “The arrow’s left the bow,” he said. The decision has been made, it’s not going to be changed between now and the start of the games.”
SOUTH AFRICA’S SEMENYA CHALLENGES THE SEX DIVIDE IN SPORTS By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer STELLENBOSCH, South Africa (AP) — It seems the sports world just doesn’t know what to do with an athlete like Caster Semenya. The South African runner, and others like her, may present one of the greatest dilemmas for the perception of fairness in sports. Athletes like Semenya with intersex conditions — those that don’t conform to standard definitions of male or female — debunk any presumption that everyone fits neatly into those definitive categories in sports. According to sports scientist Ross Tucker, “the biology isn’t quite as simple as that.” Semenya’s story is wellknown. As an 18-yearold newcomer at the 2009 world championships, she dominated the best women’s 800-metre runners. The gap between her and the defending world champion, who finished second, was astounding. Semenya celebrated by showing off her bicep muscles, stoking a controversy sparked hours earlier by revelations that she had undergone sex verification tests. She was later sidelined for 11 months by world track’s governing body, the IAAF, and was only cleared to run again in 2010. She returned and won a silver medal in the 800 at the 2012 Olympics. Now 25 and the favourite for gold at the Rio Olympics, Semenya has been pursued by gender questions. But her case has never been about a man masquerading as a woman. Semenya is a woman because she says she’s a woman, was legally recognised at birth as female, treated as female, and identified as female. Nobody can dictate to Semenya what gender she is.
IN THIS August 11, 2012 photo, South Africa’s Caster Semenya reacts after finishing in second place in the women’s 800-metre final at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. It seems the sports world just doesn’t know what to do with an athlete like Semenya. The South African runner, and others like her, may present one of the greatest dilemmas for the perception of fairness in sports. Semenya, now 25, is the favourite for gold at the Rio Olympics. (AP) But since the 1950s, track and field has conducted sex testing to protect women’s competitions, initially using very basic sexual anatomy tests, and later using chromosomes. The tests didn’t work. Sex testing in sports should be about preventing an unfair advantage and, therefore, not about genitalia or chromosomes, which don’t make athletes run faster, jump higher or throw farther. What does, according to the IAAF, is testosterone. The IAAF says testosterone is the most significant factor in athletic performance. Men, generally, have more testosterone than women. In 2011, the IAAF officially drew a line between men and women in terms of testosterone. The issue it sought to resolve was hyperandrogenism — high levels of naturally occurring testosterone in some women that apparently gave them a competitive advantage.
Tucker said research conducted by the IAAF showed six women with intersex conditions competed at the 2011 world championships. Joanna Harper, an expert on gender in sports and a consultant to the IAAF, thinks two female medallists at this year’s indoor world championships are probably intersex, and estimated 5-10 intersex athletes will compete in track and field at the Rio Olympics. Six years after Semenya was subjected to the IAAF tests, the lid was lifted on her situation in 2015. That’s when Indian sprinter Dutee Chand went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport — the highest court in world sports — and challenged the IAAF rules that regulated testosterone in hyperandrogenic women. The case forced the IAAF to publicly defend its rules that for hyperandrogenic women to be eligible to compete as women, their testosterone levels must be
below a certain mark. It came down to a tiny measurement: how many nanomoles — a billionth of a mole — of testosterone a woman had per litre of blood. It couldn’t be 10 nanomoles or more per litre, roughly the lower end of the male range. If it was 10 or higher, it had to be lowered. Harper said the testosterone levels of these hyperandrogenic women could be lowered either through the removal of internal testes or with hormone-suppressing medication. Former Olympic runner Bruce Kidd, a professor of physical education and an adviser to Chand, opposes the testosterone-limiting rule. He argues that the testosterone is natural in these women, and although men produce more of it, “there is nothing to say that testosterone is a male hormone.” “Dutee and Caster are (competing) with their own chemicals,” Kidd said. “They are fully in keeping with the Olympic spirit of
being true to yourself and playing without doping. So why are they being castigated for that? I think it is so unfair.” Significantly, the IAAF accepted that its rules were basically discriminatory but were devised in search of a greater justice: fairness for women’s track and field. Opponents of the testosterone rule pointed to the natural advantages of other athletes that aren’t regulated, such as Usain Bolt’s fast-twitch muscle fibers, Michael Phelps’ big wingspan and former cyclist Miguel Indurain’s huge lung capacity. Harper, who supports the testosterone-limiting rules, explained that sports competitions don’t have categories for athletes with slow twitch, short arms or small lungs. But women’s sports are protected because if they weren’t, there would be serious ramifications for Olympic qualification. Chand — and by default, Semenya — won an interim decision last year in the Court of Arbitration for Sport case, but on a different reasoning. The IAAF didn’t have definitive evidence to show how much of an advantage the extra testosterone gave hyperandrogenic women. CAS gave the IAAF until July 2017 to provide the evidence needed to reinstate the rule, which won’t be in place in Rio. The IAAF said it doesn’t comment on individuals who were managed under its hyperandrogenism regulations, but it still believes in the rules. Work is ongoing to find evidence. Harper is involved in that process and expects to be an expert witness for the IAAF when the case returns to court. The best evidence might be provided right now by Semenya. Since the testosterone regulations were shelved,
Semenya has won every major 800-metre race she entered this season — running a personal best last month and the fastest time anywhere in seven years. Her best time this year is around four seconds faster than last year. Tucker predicted it. At the start of the season, when Semenya was competing at the South African national championships, Tucker posted a tweet saying she could break Jarmila Kratochvilova’s 33-yearold world record of 1:53.28 for the 800 this season. He thinks that without testosterone regulation, Semenya, a good athlete anyway, could become untouchable. “You need a person who comes along and has got all the attributes that would make an elite athlete, plus they have high testosterone. Then you will get a freakishly good athlete, and that’s the case with Semenya,” Tucker said. “If I was a woman 800-metre runner right now, I’d be looking to change careers. You can’t beat this advantage. It’s too big.” But Alice Dreger, a historian of medicine and science who has written about Semenya, poses a question with regard to the testosterone regulations and what the IAAF is trying to achieve with its proposed limits: “The data they have indicates it causes the athlete’s performance to drop precipitously, basically eliminating them from play,” Dreger said. “So what does it really mean to say ‘you can compete if you get these interventions,’ if the interventions mean you can’t really compete anymore?” Semenya, often mediashy, smiled and spoke easily with reporters at the nationals, saying she was starting to enjoy the sport again. “I haven’t had fun, you know, in a while,” she said.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 3, 2016, PAGE 7
NEW RETRACTABLE ROOF READY FOR START OF US OPEN By SAMANTHA PELL AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The third time was the charm for the new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium. The US Tennis Association unveiled the $150 million roof over the centrepiece court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre yesterday — after some glitches. The roof closed with ease in its first official demonstration, but tennis legend Billie Jean King tried multiple times to open it with the push of a button. Her third attempt succeeded. Matt Rossetti, president of the architectural firm that drew up the roof plan, said the issue “could happen” at the upcoming US Open but a team of engineers would be on hand to fix it if necessary.
The roof, which is the size of 17 Olympic swimming pools, will be ready when the US Open begins on August 29. The men’s final was delayed a day until Monday because of rain for five straight years from 2008-12. USTA officials had long maintained that adding a roof over Ashe wasn’t feasible. But in 2013, Rossetti created a plan and the roof was added over two years. “Here at the Billie Jean Tennis Centre, we are making the impossible happen,” USTA executive director Gordon Smith said. Moving at a top speed of 25 feet per minute, the roof over the 23,771-capacity stadium is built to close or open in under seven minutes. Twenty-two tennis courts could fit inside the 62,500 square-foot roof opening. There are already retractable roofs over the main stadiums at the sites
THE PARTIALLY open new retractable roof allows a ribbon of light into Arthur Ashe Stadium yesterday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, in the Queens borough of New York. Mother Nature will no longer be a problem at the US Open as the US Tennis Association unveiled the new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium. (AP) of two other Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. French Open organisers also plan to add one. The Ashe roof is expected to be used only for rain, unlike the Australian
Open, which also closes its roof in cases of extreme heat. The Chase name and logo will be on both the north and south sides of the roof for the US Open. Ashe’s retractable roof features two panels atop
a 6,500-ton steel superstructure and is covered to provide shade for the spectators. Some 360 LED sports lights will illuminate the roof and stadium when closed. To control humidity inside the stadium when the
THe WeaTHer repOrT
5-Day Forecast
TOday
OrlandO
High: 93° F/34° C low: 76° F/24° C
Tampa
THursday
FrIday
saTurday
sunday
Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots
Clear to partly cloudy
Partly sunny
Partly sunny with a shower in spots
Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots
Clouds and sun, a t‑storm in spots
High: 92°
Low: 79°
High: 92° Low: 81°
High: 92° Low: 78°
High: 91° Low: 80°
High: 90° Low: 81°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
108° F
88° F
107°-89° F
106°-89° F
107°-94° F
114°-92° F
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
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High: 88° F/31° C low: 82° F/28° C
6‑12 knots
S
High: 91° F/33° C low: 79° F/26° C
6‑12 knots
FT. lauderdale
FreepOrT
High: 90° F/32° C low: 80° F/27° C
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WesT palm BeaCH
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High: 90° F/32° C low: 77° F/25° C
High: 90° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C
mIamI
High: 89° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C
6‑12 knots
Key WesT
High: 89° F/32° C low: 81° F/27° C
eleuTHera
nassau
High: 92° F/33° C low: 79° F/26° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016
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The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
tiDes For nassau High
Ht.(ft.)
Low
Ht.(ft.)
Today
8:57 a.m. 9:21 p.m.
3.0 3.5
2:57 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
0.0 0.0
Thursday
9:43 a.m. 10:04 p.m.
3.0 3.4
3:40 a.m. 3:46 p.m.
0.0 0.1
Friday
10:27 a.m. 10:45 p.m.
3.0 3.3
4:22 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
0.1 0.2
Saturday
11:11 a.m. 11:27 p.m.
3.0 3.1
5:03 a.m. 5:15 p.m.
0.2 0.3
Sunday
11:54 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑
2.9 ‑‑‑‑‑
5:43 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
0.3 0.5
Monday
12:08 a.m. 12:39 p.m.
2.9 2.8
6:23 a.m. 6:47 p.m.
0.4 0.6
Tuesday
12:51 a.m. 1:27 p.m.
2.7 2.8
7:06 a.m. 7:38 p.m.
0.5 0.7
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
6:39 a.m. 7:53 p.m.
Moonrise Moonset
7:18 a.m. 8:30 p.m.
First
Full
last
new
aug. 10
aug. 18
aug. 24
sep. 1
CaT Island
High: 87° F/31° C low: 79° F/26° C
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7‑14 knots
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8‑16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 90° F/32° C Low .................................................... 79° F/26° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 90° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 70° F/21° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.03” Year to date ............................................... 25.47” Normal year to date ................................... 20.19”
High: 87° F/31° C low: 81° F/27° C
roof is closed, a chilled water ventilation system was installed. The US Open roof is part of a $500 million-plus renovation paid for by the USTA. The renovation included adding new courts.
andrOs
san salVadOr
GreaT eXuma
High: 86° F/30° C low: 79° F/26° C
High: 86° F/30° C low: 79° F/26° C
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High: 90° F/32° C low: 80° F/27° C
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lOnG Island
insurance management tracking map
High: 86° F/30° C low: 79° F/26° C
7‑14 knots
mayaGuana High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
CrOOKed Island / aCKlIns raGGed Island High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C
H
High: 85° F/29° C low: 79° F/26° C
GreaT InaGua High: 88° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C
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8‑16 knots
8‑16 knots
marine Forecast aBaCO andrOs CaT Island CrOOKed Island eleuTHera FreepOrT GreaT eXuma GreaT InaGua lOnG Island mayaGuana nassau raGGed Island san salVadOr
Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:
WINDS SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots
WAVES 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet
VISIBILITY 5 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 84° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F
PAGE 8, Wednesday, August 3, 2016
THE TRIBUNE