Africa
00:31, 04-Jun-2019
Caster Semenya free to compete after Swiss court suspends controversial IAAF ruling
["africa"]
Share
Copied
South Africa's star female athlete Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete in races of all distances without medication to limit her testosterone levels after a successful appeal against the ruling.
A Swiss court on Monday suspended the new IAAF rule which was meant to apply to women events between 400 metres to the mile. In those rules, athletes classed as having DSDs would have to reduce their blood testosterone levels to below five (5) nmol/L for a period of six months before they can compete. The athletes must then maintain it below that level continuously.
“I hope following my appeal I will once again be able to run free,” Semenya said.
“I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision.”
Semenya had taken her case to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, citing the need to defend “fundamental human rights”.
Dr Dorothee Schramm, the legal representative of the two-time Olympic 800m champion said after Monday's ruling that: “The court has granted welcome temporary protection to Caster Semenya.
“This is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes.”