Mthethwa throws weight behind Semenya in World Athletics challenge
Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa says government will throw its weight behind world-renowned athlete Caster Semenya in her bid to challenge World Athletics.
This after reports that scientists behind a 2017 study had now issued a correction about the impact that high levels of naturally occurring testosterone in female athletes had on performance.
The initial findings led to Semenya being barred from competing in her specialised 800m event in 2019.
But the governing body’s scientists admitted the findings that helped trigger her elimination from the track race “could have been misleading”.
In a media briefing on Friday, Mthethwa vowed his support to South Africa’s golden girl.
“We’ve always been part of the endeavours legally to challenge what has been that injustice meted against Caster and even now in the appeal, we are giving every needed support.”
It’s understood Semenya is considering taking action against World Athletics.
“We are working with the legal team of Caster and we’ll always be there to support her because in the final analysis we believe that justice should be done on this matter
“It’s a matter of human rights violation as far as we are concerned and we are in support.”
World Athletics also came under fire earlier this month for the suspicion timing of of the release of the findings, soon after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games concluded.
Mthethwa believes something is amiss.
“We should get to the bottom of this something is amiss here, something is unjust is meted against her,” he added.
Semenya missed the star-studded games after failing to qualify for the 5,000 metre race.
Listen to Mthethwa below:
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