Life

Caster Semenya loses appeal in court over testosterone levels

By Zoya Raza-Sheikh

11th September 2020

Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya has lost her fight against the Swiss court in World Athletic testosterone regulations.

Following new guidelines introduced last year, the South African athlete will be unable to compete in any events from 400 meters to the mile, unless she agrees to lower her testosterone levels.

This ruling also means Semenya cannot defend her 800m title at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Following the announcement of the World Athletic regulations, the Olympian tweeted: “A man can change the rules but the very same man can not rule my life”.

In a press statement, the 29-year-old athlete shared her thoughts on Tuesday: “I am very disappointed by this ruling, but refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am.

“Excluding female athletes or endangering our health solely because of our natural abilities puts World Athletics on the wrong side of history.”

“I will continue to fight for the human rights of female athletes, both on the track and off the track, until we can all run free the way we were born.

“I know what is right and will do all I can to protect basic human rights, for young girls everywhere.”

Yesterday, Semenya solidified her stance on the news by posting an inspiration tweet advocating in favour of her rights and recognition in the sport.

The World Athletics governing body welcomed the Swiss Federal decision in what it described as a right “to uphold our DSD Regulations as a legitimate and proportionate means of protecting the right of all female athletes to participate in our sport on fair and meaningful terms.”

Their statement later elaborated that the World Athletics “fully respects each individual’s personal dignity and supports the social movement to have people accepted in society based on their chosen legal sex and/or gender identity.”