Minister to support Caster in Laussane
Sports minister Tokozile Xasa was expected to fly out to Lausanne‚ Switzerland‚ on Wednesday night to join the team of experts that has been assembled in support of Olympic champion Caster Semenya in her battle against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Semenya went before Cas on Monday to challenge proposed IAAF rules that would force her to lower her testosterone levels before she competes at international events in the future.
“Upon my arrival in Switzerland‚ my responsibility will be to convey the message of support from President Cyril Ramaphosa and members of cabinet‚” said Xasa.
“I will also have an opportunity to listen to the deliberations of both parties (ASA and IAAF) which are based on scientific research and human rights principles‚ give support to our team of experts and witnesses currently in support and representing ASA and Caster Semenya.
“I will also engage members of the media and address the international community on South Africa’s stance on human rights principles and scientific research in relation to female classification or reclassification‚” she added.
Meanwhile, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) president Gideon Sam has dismissed growing perception that the continent has turned its back on Semenya and the Olympic champ is battling the IAAF on her own at the Cas.
The silence has been deafening from the African countries who could be affected by the IAAF’s proposed rules changes and they have been accused of showing little support for Semenya when the hearings began in Switzerland this week.
But Sam said nothing could be further from the truth and insisted that the continent was behind the 800m Olympic and world champion.
“Africa is behind us in this important matter and they have always been in the past‚” said Sam.
“It may not be in the media but I can assure everyone that Africa is behind us.
“It is not correct for people to comment that there is no support for Caster on the continent.
“We have assembled a team of experts in Lausanne to work with her in dealing with Cas and let’s allow them to do their job.”
But Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei did not want to comment on the matter when he was contacted on Wednesday despite the fact that their leading middle-distance runner Margaret Wambui is directly affected by the proposed rules.
“The case has started at Cas and there will be no comment from me at this stage‚” said Tuwei.
Semenya went before Cas on Monday to challenge proposed IAAF rules that would force her to lower her testosterone levels. The widely criticised rules would force “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “differences of sexual development” to medically lower their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount.
The IAAF wants to introduce the rule changes to promote what it says will be fairer competition between all female athletes.