Semenya to challenge ‘discriminatory' testosterone rule
Olympic champion, Caster Semenya will appeal the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) female testosterone regulations.
The two-time world champion is expected to challenge a regulation that compels her to undergo medical interventions to lower her testosterone levels.
She will appeal the decision by turning to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
Semenya’s lawyer, Gregory Nott, has labelled the legal battle as “a landmark case concerning international human rights and discrimination against women athletes”.
Issued in April, the regulations seek to standardise the testosterone levels in women and will apply to athletes that compete in events from 400m to the mile.
“I am very upset that I have been pushed into the public spotlight again. I don’t like talking about this new rule. “I just want to run naturally, the way I was born. It is not fair that I am told I must change. It is not fair that people question who I am. I am Mokgadi Caster Semenya. I am a woman and I am fast,” read a statement from Semenya.
She lambasted the IAAF, dubbing the regulations as “offensive practice of intrusive surveillance and judging of women’s bodies which has historically haunted women’s sports”.
The first step in the challenge will be to request that the regulatory body suspend the implementation of the regulations as it is set to come into effect on November 1.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says they are yet to receive her appeal.