South African 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya. Photo: Geoffroy van der Hasselt / AFP
IAAF reacts triumphantly after putting the brakes on Caster Semenya
The IAAF is pleased at the latest decision by the Swiss Federal Tribunal, but Caster Semenya and her lawyers are determined to continue fighting.
South African 800m gold medallist Caster Semenya. Photo: Geoffroy van der Hasselt / AFP
South Africa’s middle-distance superstar Caster Semenya again suffered another blow to her bid to continue competing without taking testosterone-suppressing drugs. This was after the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) reversed its decision to allow her to continue racing pending her appeal against the IAAF’s DSD regulations.
The new developments mean that she will not be able to defend her world title in the 800m in Doha in September, and have provided another snag in her legal fight against athletics’ governing body.
Small victory for the IAAF
While Semenya expressed disappointment and declared her intention to keep fighting – not only for herself, but for other affected athletes as well – the reaction from the opposing camp had a triumphant tone to it.
The IAAF issued out a statement welcoming the SFT’s decision, saying in the context of sport, “biology has to trump gender identity”.
“The IAAF welcomes the Swiss Federal Tribunal’s decision today to revoke its Super-Provisional Order of 31 May 2019 after hearing the IAAF’s arguments.
“This decision creates much-needed parity and clarity for all athletes as they prepare for the World Championships in Doha this September.
“In the remainder of the proceedings before the SFT, the IAAF will maintain its position that there are some contexts, sport being one of them, where biology has to trump gender identity, which is why the IAAF believes (and the CAS agreed) that the DSD Regulations are a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of protecting fair and meaningful competition in elite female athletics.”
IAAF
Caster Semenya not giving up the fight
Semenya had earlier spoken out soon after the tribunal’s decision was made public, saying she was disappointed at being effectively struck off the field that will be competing in Doha.
“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 the female athletes concerned.”
Caster Semenya
Despite the decision’s reversal, Semenya’s appeal against the DSD regulations still remains unaffected.
The leading attorney in the appeal, Dorothy Schramm declared that the fight is far from over.
“We will continue to pursue Caster’s appeal and fight for her human rights. A race is always decided at the finish line.”
Dorothy Schramm
