Moves to slow down Caster
Semenya’s future looks bleak as world athletics body can from today force athletes with hyperandrogenism to reduce their naturally high testosterone levels.
Semenya and other women with high testosterone levels will suffer the most.
Caster Semenya’s future as an elite middle-distance runner is in doubt after a contentious debate off the track was reignited yesterday. According to media reports, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was set to implement its amended hyperandrogenism rule today, which would force athletes born with the condition to reduce their natural testosterone levels.
The IAAF said last month it would introduce an adjusted version of the suspended rule before the end of the year, but it would apply only to women competing over distances ranging from 400m to the mile (1.609km).
“Following some further drafting, the regulations will be communicated to CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport] before being released,” it said at the time.
While CAS hasn’t yet confirmed whether it has given the IAAF decision a final stamp of approval, the revised rule would bring an end to the case filed by Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, who would be cleared to compete in the 100m and 200m events after she took legal action against the global athletics body in 2015.
The amended rule could, however, affect middle-distance runners who were believed to be hyperandrogenic, including Semenya, Kenyan athlete Margaret Wambui and Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi, who swept the podium in the 800m event in Brazil.
The IAAF has in recent weeks been accused of victimising Semenya in particular with the application of the new rule, as she excelled at the entire range of distances which were affected.
Although the athletics body controversially opted not to apply the rule to strength-based disciplines, such as the shot put and hammer throw, IAAF president Sebastian Coe said a line had to be drawn to separate men’s and women’s divisions in competition.
“This is about our responsibility as a sport federation to ensure a level playing field,” Coe said.
Struggling to find her best form between 2011 and 2015, with her natural testosterone levels apparently being suppressed by medication, Semenya rocketed back into shape when the IAAF’s hyperandrogenism rule was provisionally suspended three years ago.
The 27-year-old Olympic gold medallist was subjected to gender tests in 2009.
She went on to win the Olympic 800m title in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the world title last year.
Should the IAAF rule be applied today, Semenya will be forced to take medication to limit her body’s hormone production.