Forbes Woman Africa cover with Caster Semenya divides opinion on Twitter
Forbes Woman Africa magazine has polarized opinions over its December issue featuring South African runner Caster Semenya on the front cover.
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The world and Olympic 800m champion, wearing a white T-shirt and suit jacket, was pictured on the magazine’s front page with the caption: “‘I’m just priceless’ Caster Semenya on being herself and winning against all odds.”
[NEW EDITION] In the new #ForbesWomanAfrica magazine, we sit down with South African Olympic gold medalist, #CasterSemenya@caster800m. She discusses being herself, and winning, against all odds. Grab your copy! pic.twitter.com/8LWwKhfjYC
— Forbes Woman Africa (@ForbesWomanAfri) December 6, 2018
The move was hailed by Semenya supporters who insisted the track star “fully deserved” the right to be featured on the magazine’s cover.
The #FWACover December star is @caster800m ✨✨✨👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👌🏾🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/bpz8hYOO8X
— Carol Tshabalala (@SimplyCarol8) December 5, 2018
“No one deserves this as much as you! Against all odds,” one user wrote, apparently referring to Semenya’s legal proceedings against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which has ruled to reduce blood testosterone limits for female athletes.
— Gladwell Kamogelo (@gladwellkamogel) December 5, 2018
Yes, you certainly are priceless. A rare gem to behold and be amazed with. You are unique and beautiful, just the way God intended. 👍🤗
— Joan Duran (Corr) 🖥️🖱️💙🧡🌊 (@GamingGal63) December 5, 2018
Simply the BEST! YOU ROCK!!!
— Vivienne Aiyela (@MsVee1304) December 6, 2018
The South African runner, whose testosterone level exceeds the outlined limit, challenged the IAAF’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), claiming that the newly-introduced regulations are discriminatory and unfair.
However, others have spoken out against the 27-year-old middle-distance runner, claiming she should not be allowed to compete with elevated testosterone levels, and criticized Forbes’ cover choice – with some going as far as to say that the word woman should be put in quotation marks.
They should have put "quotations" on that woman in the title but nonetheless, great accomplishment!
— Joseph Brownlee (@TheTruthUNoLike) December 5, 2018
Being a SheMan racing girls is indeed against all odds.
— granit XAKHA (@Thermotank) December 5, 2018
I thought he is a man
— Chuol Yuanes Toang (@chuol_toang) December 5, 2018
this dude is a chick?
— MAGNAM (@obuks36) December 5, 2018