Caster Semenya of South Africa wins the Women's 800m REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Home » Semenya Free to Run Without Medication While Appeal is Heard

Semenya Free to Run Without Medication While Appeal is Heard

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – South Africa’s double Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be able to run in her favoured 800 metres event without medication to lower her testosterone levels until an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal has been ruled on, the court said on Monday. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had ruled the […]

By SAPeople
03-06-19 19:00
in Fab South African Stuff
Caster Semenya of South Africa wins the Women's 800m REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – South Africa’s double Olympic champion Caster Semenya will be able to run in her favoured 800 metres event without medication to lower her testosterone levels until an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal has been ruled on, the court said on Monday.

Caster Semenya of South Africa wins the Women’s 800m REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had ruled the International Association of Athletics Federations regulations were necessary for XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) competing in events ranging from 400 metres to a mile.

South African Semenya challenged the verdict in the hope of having it overturned.

Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said: “We welcome the decision taken by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court to suspend the implementation of the IAAF’s regulations for athletes with “differences of sex development” pending @Caster800m #CasterSemenya’s appeal. We will never rest until justice is served!”

Some South African media incorrectly reported that Semenya’s appeal had been successful, but this is only a suspension until the appeal has been finalised (around 25 June).

(Reporting by Nick Said, editing by Ed Osmond)