Shocking Africa
ASA may approach Swiss tribunal after Semenya’s CAS setback
CAPE TOWN: Athletics South Africa (ASA) are considering approaching the Swiss Federal Tribunal after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Caster Semenya’s appeal against regulations to limit naturally-occurring testosterone levels in athletes with differences of sexual development (DSDs).
The national governing body for athletics were “deeply disappointed and profoundly shocked” as a CAS panel dismissed the appeal by double Olympic 800m champion Semenya against the implementation of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) regulations.
“ASA respect the CAS decision and will now review the ruling and decide whether to consider the option of taking this matter to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within the 30 days as stipulated in the ruling,” they said in a statement.
“We are, however, reeling in shock at how a body held in high esteem like CAS can endorse discrimination without flinching.
“We are deeply disappointed and profoundly shocked that the CAS award is in favour of upholding the new IAAF regulations for female athletes.”
ASA went on to compare the regulations to apartheid, where South African citizens were separated by racial group and afforded differing rights based on their skin colour.
“South Africa knows discrimination better and CAS have seen it fit to open the wounds of Apartheid, a system of discrimination condemned by the whole world as a crime against humanity.
“For CAS do not only condone discrimination, but also go to lengths to justify it, (which) only undermines the integrity that this body are entrusted with. We believe their decision is disgraceful.”
Meanwhile, Semenya will run her last 800m today before the IAAF impose hugely controversial new rules limiting testosterone in female athletes.
Semenya will compete at the Diamond League meeting in Doha against 2016 Olympic silver medallist Francine Niyonsaba – who recently revealed she had similar DSD characteristics to the South African.
Both must then begin taking medication to lower their testosterone levels if they wish to compete over that distance based on the new rules, which the CAS said on Wednesday were necessary to ensure fair competition.
The case is likely to have far-reaching consequences for women’s sport, and has split opinion around the globe.
Under the rules to take effect on May 8, female athletes with high natural levels of testosterone wishing to compete in events from 400m to a mile must medically limit that level to under 5 nmol/L, which is double the normal female range of below 2 nmol/L.
Barring further legal action, that leaves Semenya at a crossroads: Either she submits to the regulations or looks to compete in longer distances.
“I know that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically,” Semenya, 28, said in a statement released via her lawyers on Wednesday.
“For a decade the IAAF have tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back.
“I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world.”
Semenya’s personal best of 1:54.25 will make her the quickest in the field in Doha’s Diamond League meet, the first time she will compete over the distance in 2019.