From Inside the Games
Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya is set to miss the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Qatar’s capital Doha.
The South African will not defend her 800 metres title after the Swiss Supreme Court reversed a ruling which suspended a regulation imposed by the IAAF regarding testosterone levels, pending an appeal from Semenya.
The 28-year-old is appealing a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which supports the IAAF regulation that athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD) who wish to compete in events ranging from 400m and a mile must take medication in order to reduce their testosterone levels.
Semenya, who has consistently spoken out against that standpoint, admits she is hugely disappointed at the prospect of not racing in Doha.
In a statement, she said: “I am very disappointed to be kept from defending my hard-earned title, but this will not deter me from continuing my fight for the human rights of all of the female athletes concerned.”
However, the IAAF welcomed the Swiss Supreme Court’s decision, which it said had been taken “after hearing the IAAF’s arguments”.
An IAAF statement said: “This decision creates much-needed parity and clarity for all athletes as they prepare for the World Championships in Doha.
