Athletics SA backs Caster in IAAF row
Court action threatened over new classification rules
THE HEAT is intensifying against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) after its controversial female classification rules. After an outcry from Canada, Athletics SA (ASA) entered the fray yesterday to fight the regulations. The IAAF introduced the new rules governing the eligibility of female athletes with difference of sexual development (DSDs).
This was seen as a direct attack against Caster Semenya, South Africa’s three-time 800m world champion.
The amended rules are limited to athletes that compete in events ranging from the 400m to the 1 500m, which would directly influence Semenya’s eligibility to compete in future.
ASA threatened to take the IAAF to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if it did not withdraw the amended regulations.
“As a member federation, we will engage the IAAF as our mother body and if they do not change their minds on this new rule after this engagement, we will proceed to CAS for further assistance on the matter,” ASA said.
The new rule will require women with DSD to reduce their blood testosterone level to below five nanomoles per litre for a continuous period of at least six months.
The IAAF said research had shown that women competing with a level above the threshold were either DSD athletes, doped athletes or athletes with adrenal or ovarian tumours.
The new regulations come into effect from November and female athletes with DSDs would have to use the contraceptive pill to reduce their testosterone below the required levels.
ASA said it had consulted widely with role players including the Minister of Sport and Recreation, the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), various expert institutions and other relevant organisations and individuals on the matter.
“Based on this consultation, we have now taken a decision that we will challenge the IAAF on these new regulations as we have found them to be skewed,” the statement read.
ASA is the second national athletics federations to call for a review of the new rules.
Athletics Canada released a statement on Tuesday in which it said it would hold discussions with government officials and other national sports organisations but believed the “IAAF eligibility ruling requires rigorous review”.
“Athletics Canada has serious concerns with last week’s announcement from the IAAF regarding hyperandrogenism testing,” the federation said.
“In Canada, we encourage full access for all Canadians to participate and compete in athletics, at every level of our sport, free of discrimination.
“Athletics Canada believes in the principles of inclusion, respect and health and safety.”
Athletics Canada said it would hold discussions with government officials and other national sports organisations but believed the “IAAF eligibility ruling requires rigorous review”.
However, the European Athletics Council welcomed the IAAF regulations which, it said, “seek to facilitate the participation in the sport of athletes with DSDs on terms that preserve fair and meaningful competition in the female classification”.