Caster Semenya, the two-time Olympic champion from South Africa, has recently won a major victory at the Human Rights Court of Arbitration for Sport. After a long battle with the International Athletics Federation (IAAF), Semenya has successfully appealed the IAAF’s controversial testosterone rules.
The IAAF had implemented a rule in 2018 that required female athletes with high levels of testosterone to take medication to reduce their testosterone levels in order to compete in certain events. This rule was specifically targeted at Semenya, who has naturally high levels of testosterone. The IAAF argued that this rule was necessary in order to ensure fairness in competition, as athletes with higher levels of testosterone have an advantage over athletes with lower levels.
However, Semenya argued that this rule was discriminatory and violated her human rights. She argued that the IAAF was unfairly targeting her and other female athletes with naturally high levels of testosterone, and that the rule was not necessary to ensure fairness in competition.
The Human Rights Court of Arbitration for Sport agreed with Semenya, ruling that the IAAF’s testosterone rules violated the human rights of female athletes with naturally high levels of testosterone. The court ruled that the IAAF must remove the rule and that Semenya should be allowed to compete without taking medication to reduce her testosterone levels.
This is a major victory for Semenya and other female athletes with naturally high levels of testosterone. It is a reminder that everyone should be treated fairly and equally, regardless of their natural physical characteristics. It is also a reminder that human rights should always be respected and protected.
