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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The young athlete, now competing at the Rio Games, always considered herself to be a girl just like the others, a girl who loved to run. Then the governing body of track and field told her she was different, so different that her track career could be over.Marked confidential and signed best sporting regards, the letter outlined a choice for the athlete: Open herself up to a panel of medical experts who could recommend surgery or chemical treatment to reduce her testosterone levels, or stop competing.She had fallen foul of the International Association of Athletics Federations rules aimed at providing a fair playing field for women by keeping out athletes with high testosterone, a naturally occurring strength-building hormone.Writing to the man who ran track and field in the athletes country, the IAAFs medical director at the time explained that blood and urine tests detected testosterone levels that were abnormally high for a woman. The suspected cause, wrote Dr. Gabriel Dolle, wasnt doping but another hot-button issue in athletics that is likely to flare in this final week of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics: hyperandrogenism.Had the athlete not been a runner, she might never have known of her condition. It was flagged by the IAAFs tests that look for banned drugs. She was stunned and uncomprehending when told that her testosterone pointed to hyperandrogenism, her then-coach told The Associated Press.She couldnt understand. It was shock, the coach said. I said, `Youre not alone. There are others.Thus started a months-long process of medical scrutiny, trips to foreign clinics for batteries of tests, and potentially life-changing choices shrouded in medical secrecy that makes it hard to investigate the IAAFs treatment of hyperandrogenic women.The AP will not name the athlete, the country she is competing for or give details, including racing achievements, that could help identify her. In messages with the AP, she said she is focusing on competition and that her story is personal and private.The IAAF letter and the exclusive AP interview with her former coach, who was intimately involved in her eventual decision to agree to testosterone-curbing treatment, shed unprecedented light on the inner workings of the IAAF process that at least 14 women have gone through.Another athlete has become the unwilling face of this complex and excruciatingly sensitive issue. Caster Semenya will race in Rio and likely win gold in the 800 meters. Believed to be hyperandrogenic, outed as physiologically different without her consent when she won the world championship 800 in 2009, the South Africans dominance has again pushed to the fore divisive questions about whether allowing women to compete with testosterone levels far above the female norm is fair and whether the hormones attributed performance-enhancing effects are significantly greater than other natural gifts, like height for basketball players or big feet for swimmers.Semenya first races Wednesday.It is not publicly known how many hyperandrogenic women are competing in Rio. But a study published in 2014 by Dolle and other medical experts calculated that seven out of 1,000 elite female athletes may be hyperandrogenic, 140 times higher than expected among the general population. Hyperandrogenism is a medical condition which causes a person to produce high levels of hormones and can be caused by differences in sexual development.Having not withstood a legal challenge brought by another female athlete at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the IAAF regulations are now on hold, suspended by the CAS since July 2015. That means hyperandrogenic women can compete in Rio without having to artificially control their testosterone levels.The CAS case was brought by Dutee Chand, an Indian sprinter who challenged the rules after she was suspended, and who, like Semenya, saw intimate medical details become fodder for public debate.God wanted to bring a change (in the rules) through me, Chand told AP before competing in 100-meter qualifying on Friday. Speaking as fast as she runs, her nails painted red and black studs in her ears, the petite sprinter said she has put her ordeal behind her, is relishing the Olympic experience and longs to meet Usain Bolt.By the time I came to know about my problems, the issue already was out in the open, the 20-year-old said. Everyone supported me. I dont worry about what has happened in the past.The coach who spoke to AP praised Chands resistance against the IAAF rules, saying: Thank goodness that there were courageous people who protested.The AP will not identify the coach to avoid identifying the athlete. As her confidant during the process, the coach was involved in her decision-making, including choosing hormone therapy instead of surgery to lower her testosterone. The IAAF letter says the coach was present during a meeting with a federation representative when a follow-up sample was taken from the athlete to confirm the diagnosis of hyperandrogenism.The IAAF letter explaining the medical process facing the athlete was provided to AP by a former federation representative who was involved in the implementation of the hyperandrogenism regulations. The governing body introduced them in 2011 after the furor that followed Semenyas world title in Berlin. There was widespread criticism of track officials handling of her case, including leaking without her consent that she had undergone sex testing. I have been subjected to unwarranted and invasive scrutiny of the most intimate and private details of my being, Semenya subsequently complained.The APs source said the IAAF regulations were ensnaring athletes from developing countries with little education or the financial means to contest the rules, and forcing them to either accept medical treatment or stop competing. The AP is not naming the former federation official because he wasnt authorized to release the letter.During the IAAF process, the athlete could not compete. The coach explained her absence by lying that she was injured.The first IAAF-requested tests to determine the exact nature of her condition required a trip to another nations capital, where she was met by Dolle. That was followed by two trips to a clinic in Nice, France, all paid for by the IAAF, the coach said.The first Nice trip was accompanied but the second, lasting over a week, was not because the IAAF did not want to pay for someone to go with her, said the coach.I didnt want her to go alone. She didnt speak French very well. I was afraid she wouldnt understand, the coach said. I said, `Before you take any medicine, call me. Dont take anything. The doctors say, `Its for her good. And I thought to myself, `Shes fine as she is....They said, `Were doing tests to help you. Maybe they gave her details but she didnt understand. She just knew that they were saying she had to have the tests to come back to track and she accepted because that is what they wanted.After the second Nice trip, subsequent correspondence from Dolle offered the athlete two choices: surgery or medicinal treatment, said the coach. The coach urged her not to go under the surgeons knife, fearing the irreversible effects.I said to her, `We cant take this risk; cut things off that God gave you, the coach said. When things are cut off, its forever. You cant get those parts back.Other athletes consented to surgery. Doctors in Nice reported in 2013 that they operated on four hyperandrogenic women, aged 18 to 21 and from rural or mountainous regions of developing countries, cutting out gonads and partially removing their clitoris. The athletes were told that surgery would most likely dent their athletic performances but allow them to continue competing, the doctors reported. They said the women were allowed to resume competition one year later.The coach feels the rules discriminated against women because there arent equivalent rules for men.It punishes women because there is no law that bans some men because they are more manly than others, the coach said.The coach lamented a lack of detailed information from the IAAF about the surgery or medicinal therapy; youre told just that it is bringing your level down to the level of other women.She said, `Since I love this sport, Ill take the medicine, the coach said.The athlete continued to train while suspended.She was desperate to run. She kept saying, `Im taking the medicine. Why cant I run?The treatment caused weight-gain and the unpleasant side-effect of making the athlete smell awful, sweaty and dirty, even though she stayed clean and wore deodorant and perfume, the coach said. The smell vanished when she came off the treatment, the coach added.The treatment was administered by a doctor in her country who reported back to the IAAF. The treatment did not lead to a huge dip in her running performances.When the IAAF eventually gave the athlete the green light to resume competing, she was delighted, the coach said. But the CAS only suspended the regulations, rather than overturned them entirely, giving the IAAF until July 2017 to produce evidence that high testosterone gives hyperandrogenic women a significant performance advantage.She is free but she is scared that from one day to the next they could stop her from running again, the coach said. Shes in limbo, waiting for something bad to happen. She asks, `Are they going to stop me again? Are they going to make me take more medicine?---John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org or follow him at http://twitter.com/johnleicester . See his work at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/john-leicester---Ashok Sharma in New Delhi contributed. Tres Barrera Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Wilmer Difo Nationals Jersey . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. https://www.cheapnationals.com/1397r-trea-turner-jersey-nationals.html . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Michael A. Taylor Jersey . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Wilmer Difo Jersey . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. England roll on unbeaten, Scotland were undone by Australia late on again and Wales finally won. ESPN reporters?have their say on the biggest storylines for each team coming out of the second week of the autumn internationals...Argentina Pumas need to pounce from get goAfter they put 54 points on Japan a week ago the Pumas were purring heading into Cardiff, but they struggled to find that same mojo against an improved Wales.Just a penalty to show in the first half highlighted a lack of penetration in attack, while their much vaunted set-piece wasnt getting the go forward against a solid Welsh pack. It wasnt until Wales scored in the second half that Argentina upped the ante, both of their tries came just minutes after the home side crossed.In Martin Landajo, Nicolas Sanchez and Juan Martin Hernandez they have some lively playmakers, its just a matter of them delivering their high tempo style for the full 80 minutes against northern hemisphere sides more comfortable playing at a slower pace. This weekends Test against Scotland should be a cracker. -- Nick BewleyWeek 3 vs. Scotland, Murrayfield, Nov. 19, 5:00 p.m. GMTAustralia Wallabies have plenty to ponder as they plot Frances downfallMichael Cheika will want to concentrate on the positives this week, after his side emerged with a dramatic victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. The Wallabies were disjointed for 40 minutes in Edinburgh, leading one player to urge his side to put some spring in it three-quarters of the way through the opening 40 minutes.Australia continue to look dangerous with ball in hand, and Bernard Foley was again instrumental in the two tries that were scored. However, there would have been plenty to concern Cheika when the men in gold were not in possession. Tackles were missed, turnovers conceded and, perhaps most worryingly of all, Stephen Moores lineout throwing unravelled when put under pressure.Moore commended Scotlands play at the breakdown in the aftermath, and they were indeed impressive over the ball. But it should not go unnoticed that it was not Vern Cotters first-choice back-row. Australias Grand Slam push is alive, but there is plenty to work on before Paris. -- Martyn ThomasWeek 3 vs. France, Stade de France, Nov. 19, 8:00 p.m. GMTEngland Wood looks at home as he plugs back row holeWorryingly for Fiji, Argentina and Australia, England are playing with a confidence not seen since the Sir Clive Woodward era. Against South Africa they werent at their best but still managed to record a comfortable win and all this without Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson and James Haskell.One of the major plusses to come out of the win was the performance of Tom Wood at openside. Last week we posed whether England will ever find an answer to their openside conundrum but Wood filled the void left by the injured Haskell and looked right at home in the Jones setup. The performance of Nathan Hughes off the bench offered another option in the back-row but for now, England are looking on course to end the year unbeaten. -- Tom HamiltonWeek 3 vs. Fiji, Twickenham, Nov. 19, 2:30 p.m. GMTIreland Ireland preparing for a Dublin double? Wallabies great David Campese tweeted that Irelands match against Canada shouldnt be called a Test after Joe Schmidt changed the entire XV that started in the historic triumph over the All Blacks a week earlier. And there wasnt a huge amount to take from Irelands 52-21 win.Sean OBrien made his international return after he missed out on selection for the Chicago Test. The openside flanker put in a solid shift, and could keep his place in the seven jersey for the New Zealand re-match in Dublin especially with Jordi Murphy sidelined for the coming months. That would set up quite a clash at the breakdown with All Blacks ball-pilferer Sam Cane.The key for Schmidt and co. this week will be their game plan. It was a tactical masterstroke in Chicago that stunned New Zealand, but now the element of surprise is gone. Whatever they do Ireland must take the game to the All Blacks, as any side that has sat back against Steve Hansens men this year has been severely punished. -- NBWeek 3 vs. New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, Nov. 19, 5:30 p.m. GMTItalyAzzurri must put boot into BoksThe Test against New Zealand was only ever going to have one winner but the Azzurri did themselves no favours in the nature of the defeat.A week earlier Ireland revealed a blueprint of how to defeat the All Blacks through ambitious attacking play, giving New Zealands back three zero chance to counter while disrupting their under-strength forward pack at the set-piece. Italy did none of these things. When they had the ball they kicked aimlesssly and hoped New Zealand, the two-time defending world champions, wouldnt return with any interest.dddddddddddd. Bad move.Given Italys coach Conor OShea is Irish, their tactics were even more baffling. Hopefully we will see more flair and passion in their performance this weekend against a South African side who are struggling for confidence. -- NBWeek 3 vs. South Africa, Stadio Artemio Franchi, Nov. 19, 2:00 p.m. GMTNew Zealand Questions remain after Italian jobIt was expected that the All Blacks would thump a hapless Italy side, but you still have to do it.The All Blacks trotted out a B side at Stadio Olimpico and still managed to run in 10 tries such is their depth. Inside centre Anton Lienert-Brown was a stand-out with two world-class touches that led to tries and must start in the re-match against Ireland after he missed the stunning defeat in Chicago.Another encouraging sign for coach Steve Hansen was that second-row Brodie Retallick got valuable minutes off the bench in his return from concussion. The towering lock should return to the starting fold this week in Dublin, while fellow incumbent Sam Whitelock isnt far off overcoming an ankle injury.The All Blacks selectors have two selection conundrums to deal with this week in the backline. TJ Perenara appears to have the edge over Aaron Smith for the starting scrum-half role, while Israel Daggs all-round game could see him return on the right wing in the space of Waisake Naholo. -- NBWeek 3 vs. Ireland, Aviva Stadium, Nov. 19, 5:30 p.m. GMTScotlandScotland must give their wandering centre a homeWhen Huw Jones stepped off the Millfield production line in 2012 his hopes of playing international rugby looked bleak. The Somerset school has a tradition of developing Test-level players -- dating back to the days of Sir Gareth Edwards -- but while the likes of Mako Vunipola and Jonathan Joseph had been fast-tracked into age-grade sides, England considered Jones too small. Instead, the Edinburgh-born back embarked on a gap year in South Africa that quite literally changed his life.And on his first Murrayfield start for Scotland on Saturday, the Stormers centre proved that he belongs in the Test arena with a barnstorming performance that produced two tries and as many timely interceptions. His desire to play for the country of his birth -- even if his English is now accented with a Cape Town lilt -- is obvious. The Scottish Rugby Union must do everything they can to maximise his talent and bring him back from South Africa.Jones has one more year to run on his deal with the Stormers but after that appears open to a new adventure. Scotland fans will hope their wandering centre finally comes home. -- MTWeek 3 vs. Argentina, Murrayfield, Nov. 19 5:00 p.m. GMTSouth Africa South Africa fans have cause for real concernUnderstandably, the South African social media cognoscenti were furious with the Springboks performance at Twickenham. The team looked confused, off the pace and generally poor.They were not the South Africa the rugby world has come to admire and fear. Allister Coetzee dismissed any notion post-match that they have lost their aura, or fear-factor but will Italy really be worried about facing this outfit next weekend? Its unlikely.Its a frustrating experience watching them. They have the talent -- there is no doubt over that -- but its just a case of getting a game plan to suit the players. And for that, its the coaches who have to bring this team out of their slump. -- THWeek 3 vs. Italy, Stadio Artemio Franchi, Nov. 19 2:00 p.m. GMTWales Alun Wyn Jones shows courage to help give Wales some cheerThis was a huge result for Wales which should restore some confidence in their playing group, interim coach Rob Howley and their enduring fans who hadnt seen their side win a Test match in their last five attempts.The influence of experienced second-row Alun Wyn Jones cant be understated. A week on from the death of his father, the Ospreys veteran led from the front and put his body on the line, and thoroughly deserved his man of the match award.Jones was one of four players who missed the 32-8 loss to the Wallabies who made a profound impact in the Pumas win. Sam Warburton and Jonathan Davies showed just how valuable they are to this Welsh side in their returns from injury, while Liam Williams provided just the spark in the backline that Wales were lacking.Where Jamie Roberts fits in from here will be a talking point this week, with a date with Japan looming. -- NBWeeks 3 vs. Japan, Principality Stadium, Nov. 19, 2:30 p.m. GMT ' ' '