Mccolgan backs verdict on Semenya

Caster Semenya, the Olympic and world 800 metres champion, has effectively been ordered to take drugs or risk exclusion from athletics following a landmark ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The South African, 28, had fought against controversial plans by athletics’ governing body, the IAAF, to force her and other intersex competitors to reduce their testosterone levels in an attempt to create a level playing field.

Semenya, whose level of the hormone is three times higher than is expected in women due to her hyperandrogenism, has long argued that the moves were “unfair” and that she should not be penalised for “the way I was born”.

Although a CAS tribunal found that the IAAF’S approach was “discriminatory”, it accepted that their proposed regulations were “a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’S aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics.”

The surprise judgment was welcomed by ex-world champion Liz Mccolgan.

“The right decision has been made,” Mccolgan said on Twitter. “We need to safeguard the future of women’s sport.”

Suppressive treatment will be used to reduce testosterone levels.