Indian female relay champion accused of being a man

Pinki Pramanik, an Indian woman who won a gold medal in the 2006 Asian Games, has been accused of being a man by her former relay partner who claims Pramanik raped her. Pinki had promised to marry her female partner, but later changed her mind after already having sex, which is considered rape in India.

The 26 year old relay runner told local reporters she had been the victim of a conspiracy and refused to submit to a gender test. She said she had undergone several tests in the pasts and would not submit to another.

Her masculine features had raised suspicions concerning her true gender among male coaches, but her fellow athletes said she did not stand out as particularly masculine among other successful female competitors.

Pramanik, who works as a ticket inspector with Indian Railways, retired from competitive athletics two years ago after she was injured in a car crash.

She told local reporters the allegations amounted to an attempt to extort $5,500 from her. "I have undergone numerous tests in my career as an athlete. Why should I agree to more ridiculous tests?" she said.