SA law professor assails IAAF over ‘Semenya’ rule, resigns
SOUTH AFRICAN law professor Steve Cornelius has been hailed for taking a stand by resigning from the IAAF, saying he could not in good conscience associate himself with “an organisation which insists on ostracising certain individuals”.
Cornelius’s resignation from the disciplinary tribunal came less than a week after the federation announced plans to introduce new regulations governing the eligibility of females with hyperandrogenism.
The news was met with outrage as South Africans and the rest of the sports world believed it targeted Caster Semenya, who might be forced to take medication to lower her testosterone level to compete in the 800m, or focus on longer distances.
The International Association of Athletics Federations council approved a proposal to limit naturally produced testosterone for women who participate in distances from 400m up to and including 1 mile.
The IAAF first introduced new rules and regulations in 2011 which allowed females with hyperandrogenism to compete in the “women’s competition in athletics provided she has androgen levels below the male range”.
In his letter, Cornelius slammed the “antiquated views” of the “old” scandal-hit IAAF.
“I cannot in good conscience continue to associate myself with an organisation which insists on ostracising certain individuals for no reason.
‘‘The adoption of the new legibility regulations is based on the same ideology that led to some to the worst injustices and atrocities in the history of our panel.”
He said he could not see himself being part of a system in which he may be called on to apply regulations he deemed fundamentally flawed and most likely unlawful in various jurisdictions across the globe.
The Department of Sport and Recreation vowed to challenge the IAAF’s decision. Spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said: “We are pleased we still have men and women of integrity like Prof Cornelius.
‘‘We urge South Africans and people of the world to continue supporting Caster at# Cast er S em enya Regulations Must Fall, #HandsOffCaster.”