Cementing Semenya’s status

CASTER Semenya is a South African, two-time Olym pic champion in the 800-meter race, the same event that she had won thrice in the world championship.

Recently, she was the subject of an Associated Press (AP) story. Not for her running prowess but for a reason bordering a bit on the bizarre: She has high levels

of testosterone.

Semenya is also the most famous of a number of female athletes who have high levels of naturally occurring testosterone, which is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid.

Because of Semenya’s unusual condition, the International Alliance of Athletics Federation (IAAF) sees her as having an undue advantage over her rivals.

To level the so-called playing field, the IAAF now wants Semenya to lower those testosterone levels either by medication or surgery so that she can continue competing at top track events, such as from the 400 meters to one mile.

But Semenya refused and has contested IAAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

“Caster Semenya remains optimistic the CAS will declare the IAAF’s regulations unlawful, invalid and of no effect,” her lawyers said in a statement. “This outcome would prevent women athletes from ever having to undergo medical interventions in an attempt to comply with these regulations.”

Male testosterone is produced by the testes and female testosterone by the ovaries. This hormone is power-generator.

The IAAF’s ruling also requires female athletes to suppress their high testosterone levels for at least six months prior to competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics or the World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The CAS will resolve Semenya’s appeal by the end of April.

If she loses and Semenya decides to reduce her testosterone levels, she undergoes a daily medication similar to a birth control pill.

But by doing that, aren’t we interfering with God’s design for Semenya: a wonder woman almost?

The nose lift, I can stomach. To God, that’s just a minor decision.

But to tinker with a game-changer—of kryptonite proportions?

God values major decisions.