ANC pledges its support for Caster Semenya

The court upheld the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and decided that Semenya will be unable to defend her 800m Olympic title in Tokio next year if she does not take the medication to lower her natural testosterone levels.

In its reaction, the ANC says Semenya’s exclusion from defending her Olympic title is a massive blow to the global Queer community.

Spokesperson, Pule Mabe, says the ANC condemns the inhumane testing of women athletes with different abilities to satisfy their bigotry.

"We challenge the World Athletics community to reflect on the many years of torture they have subjected Semenya to because of how she was born.

“We challenge the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to reflect on its continuous culture that stigmatizes and marginalises women with DSD, particularly black women," says Mabe.

He continues to say the ANC believes that the IAAF has succeeded in violating all principles meant to protect people against unethical medical testing.

"This persisting culture of othering and subjecting DSD women to hormone suppressing treatment is in direct conflict to the many international oversights and accountability structures and agreements, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

The party has called on Athletics South Africa (ASA) to remain firm and persistent and to continue expressing its dissatisfaction.

“As a country that respects the rule of law and espouses the values of justice and equality, we condemn this bias and prejudiced ruling and support Semenya’s efforts in maintaining her position to reject this mandatory therapy," says Mabe.

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