World body keeps Dutee’s event off new regulations
NEWDELHI: Dutee Chand heaved a sigh of relief as the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) introduced its new hyperandrogenism rule. The new regulations cover events from 400m to the mile, excluding the 100m and 200m events which Dutee participates in.
“The IAAF this week issued new Eligibility Regulations for Female Classification (Athlete with Differences of Sexual Development) for events from 400m to the mile, including 400m, hurdles races, 800m, 1500m, one mile races and combined events over the same distances (‘Restricted Events’),” IAAF said in a statement on Thursday.
While the new regulations, which come into effect from November 1, have laid down the criteria for athletes with a ‘Difference of Sexual Development (DSD)’ to be eligible to compete in international events, Dutee will be out of the purview.
“It is a big relief for Dutee. There was always this sword hanging over her. She is quite happy about the outcome,” said Dutee’s coach, N Ramesh.
“Now that there is some clarity on the issue, she will be able to focus on training,” said Ramesh who has been coaching Dutee.
It has been a long battle for Dutee who was barred from competing in 2014 because of her levels of testosterone that exceeded the guidelines laid out for female athletes. High level of male hormone testosterone, which is natu- rally produced in a female body, is understood to give them a significant competitive edge.
A determined Dutee, however, decided to fight it out against IAAF’S hyperandrogenism clause in Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS ruling of 2015 suspending the IAAF policy for two years and asking it to draft new regulations, came as a relief for Dutee as it allowed her to compete. In September 2017, the IAAF submitted a revised draft but Dutee made a fresh appeal saying it is not based on detailed evidence, as was asked by CAS. The CAS further suspended the regulations for six months.
Now, the likes of Caster Semenya, who competes in 800m and 1500m, will be impacted by new regulations. It could prevent the double Olympic champion from competing in the 2019 Worlds.