CASTER WINS THE FIRST ROUND

THE IAAF has agreed to delay the implementation of its controversial female eligibility rules from November to March pending the outcome of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) proceedings.

The international athletics body said it agreed to the stay the implementation of the regulations to avoid further delay in the proceedings brought by Caster Semenya and Athletics South Africa (ASA) challenging its legality.

“Prolonging the uncertainty for athletes looking to compete in these distances next year and beyond is unfair and so we have reached a compromise with the claimants,” said IAAF President Sebastian Coe.

“We have agreed not to enforce the regulations against any athlete until the contested regulations are upheld.

“In exchange, they have agreed not to prolong the process. All athletes need this situation resolved as soon as possible.”

The IAAF introduced the policy which would attempt to regulate women who naturally produce testosterone levels above five nanomoles per litre of blood in April and were supposed to come into effect on November 1.

For now, the regulations are limited to athletes who compete in events ranging from the 400m to the mile.

The regulations have been met with opposition from around the world including the Canadian and British athletics officials.

Athlete Ally and the Women’s Sports Foundation have petitioned the IAAF to reconsider their stance on hyperandrogenism.

Three United Nations (UN) human rights experts recently addressed a letter to the IAAF in which it called on the international athletics body to provide clarification on various human rights issues raised by the regulations.

Sports Ministry spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga welcomed the delay in the implementation of the regulations. “We are contesting those regulations through Athletics SA and we are quite happy the IAAF has shifted the deadline until a competent body like CAS can make a determination,” Mhaga said.

“We are hopeful that the determination would favour logic which is our logic.”

The IAAF said it expected the hearing would take place in February with a decision at the end of March.