‘Overwhelming’ support for Caster

THE Department of Sport and Recreation says it has been overwhelmed by the support shown by South Africans and the rest of the world to Caster Semenya following the IAAF’s announcement to introduce new regulations governing the eligibility of females with hyperandrogenism.

The department says the move was aimed at curtailing Semenya’s career as she might be forced to take medication to lower her testosterone level to compete in the 800m – or else focus on longer distances.

The IAAF council last month approved a proposal to limit naturally produced testosterone for women that participate in distances that range from 400m up to and including one mile.

Following the announcement, a #HandsOffCaster protest was launched and continued to gain momentum on social media at the weekend.

The Minister of Sport & Recreation Thokozile Xasa believed that the “CASTER SEMENYA REGULATIONS” would impact her negatively in her participation as an athlete in the international arena.

The department said on Twitter: “Government will go to every length and breadth to fight and challenge this decision and we will study the basis of the report as we seek a possible review of the judgement and accordingly prepare our legal defences, to overturn this decision.”

Sport and Recreation Ministry spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said Semenya had been unfairly treated.

“We will be meeting with Sascoc to assemble a team to say how do we respond to this thing.

“They should be guiding us but, in terms of our stance as a department, we will support Caster,” he said.