Caster Semenya gender row

[Oxy]

Well the meet lacked a controversy...until today!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8210471.stm

Semenya told to take gender test

New world 800m champion Caster Semenya has been asked to take a gender test, according to athletics' governing body.

The International Association of Athletics Federations says it demanded the test three weeks ago amid fears she should not be able to run as a woman.

 

[kingusama92]

Looks like a man to me. No wonder they want a gender test done.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

No need for a gender test - thats a bloke and should be disqualified.

 

[Toony™®]

i tink she is feemale.

 

[ehjaz]

Caster Semenya... Is it man or woman??

What happened to that controversial athlete???

 

[Khalil]

Race row erupts around Semenya

Caster Semenya (Oliver Morino, AFP)


Pretoria - What should have been a victory celebration for the South African athletics team, on Tuesday degenerated into a row about race.

The team arrived at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park from the World Athletics Championship in Berlin.

"Where are the white South Africans to welcome her?" asked Julius Malema, leader of the ANC Youth League, referring to Caster Semenya, the 800m world champion.

"If it is rugby, they are here. The only white people who are here, are journalists. Why are we still divided? We should all celebrate."

The controversy surrounding Semenya's gender completely overshadowed the athletes' achievements.

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi's gold medal in the 800m and Khotso Mokoena's silver in the long jump got little acknowledgement. Instead, politicians and sporting officials ascribed the storm surrounding Semenya to racism.

Speculation about gender

Leonard Chuene, chairperson of Athletics South Africa (ASA), again said the speculation surrounding Semenya's gender had started in South Africa. "I have proof of it. We shouldn't allow other people to set the agenda. We will not allow that Europeans describe our children. They are our children."

He repeated the allegations later in Pretoria at the event where President Jacob Zuma congratulated Semenya and South Africa's other two medallists.

Chuene said at the airport that he would rather believe Semenya's parents about her gender than "scientists from stupid universities".

Malema said black and white people should be proud of Semenya.

"Why don't we celebrate one of our own? Is it because she is African? We will never agree with any attempt to undermine women or with racism."

Media slammed

ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela sided with Malema and said he had summed up the "tragedy of South Africa".

She also slammed the local media.

"We wish we had more support of our own. We know you (the media) are responsible for informing, but you can do it patriotically without breaking down one of our own."

"We gave you freedom of the press. You should use it responsibly," she said.

She rejected gender testing on Semenya. "The world out there can shove their insults. This is our little girl. No-one is going to do any tests on her.

"Don't touch us. Don't you dare," she said.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) was also criticised.

'Down with the IAAF'

Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, Minister of Women, the Youth, Children and People with Disabilities, called out from the stage, "Down with the IAAF".

"We are furious and worried," she said.

Chuene encouraged South Africans to support Semenya.

As a country we stood behind Oscar Pistorius. Let us now stand behind Semenya in the same way."

A dancing Martina Mpati, 59, Semenya's great-aunt, said at the airport that she had helped the athlete's mother, Dorcas, during the Semenya's birth.

"Caster is a girl. I was the midwife and I cleaned her myself the moment after my sister's daughter-in-law had given birth to her. If anyone should know what her gender is, it is me."

AfriForum accused Malema of being a "race idealist who is even prepared to misuse excellent achievements by South African athletes to cause division in the country."

Malema said the ANC Youth League would give R60 000, R40 000 and R25 000 to Semenya, Mulaudzi and Mokoena.

 

[Keith]

I have no problem with the gender testing. I have a severe problem with the way it has been handled though. The tests should have been conducted IN PRIVACY and the results made known once they are ready.

Yes she looks "male" but that does not mean that she is a male purely because she looks like a male. Her rights to privacy have been violated in the most horrendous way imaginable. Her family is going through immense turmoil and hurt. Can you imagine what her parents must be feeling. Put yourself in their shoes. She is a freakin kid.

With regards Julius Malema and his "racist remarks" about there being no whites to welcome the athletes back. It is bunch of crock from a man that has no scruples and has the mentality of pond scum. The cameras panned around the airport when they arrived and a fair sprinkling of whites (and other non blacks) were present and waiving frantically.

When this whole "episode" exploded I listened to a number of radio call in shows and was rather interetsed to note that the majority of callers were white and ther majority of those were appalled at how she was treated.

Athletics SA has to take a huge brunt of the the blame for this fiasco. They were aware of the "irregularities" some time ago (approx. 12 months) and did nothing to protect this poor girl. She has had numerous tests in the past (by ASA) which info should have been made public long before this debacle.

 

[Mohsin]

I feel so sorry for the poor girl. OK test her, but why the hell is she being humiliated like this in front of the whole world?! Madness!

 

[Keith]

I feel so sorry for the poor girl. OK test her, but why the hell is she being humiliated like this in front of the whole world?! Madness!

Spot on. She is a child for heavens sake. 18 years old and she is being vilified for something that she has no control over. It is shocking. The IAAF have come out and said that they could have handled the matter differently. No kidding!! What about her? No amount of apologies are ever going to make this matter right. I have seen interviews with her parents, siblings and friends. It is outrageous. Questioning anyones gender is a delicate matter that requires a huge amount of privacy. They have insulted not only her but her entire african culture and heritage.

They say that her testtosterone levels are 3x higher than what you would expect in a female. So what? Is it her fault? Should she be punished for something that her Creator has given her?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I certainly agree with Keith - its disgusting the way the IAAF have handled this. To leak this information hours before a major race is disgraceful

They should have conducted this ideally before the tournament took place BUT if that was not possible then they should have been discreet about it to protect the integrity of both the runner and even the event

BUT as is the case with a lot of sporting governing bodies they employ fools

I do think "she" looks like a bloke BUT that doesnt necessarily mean she is

 

[kingusama92]

An absolute farce is what this is.

The stupidity shown by the IAAF is undescribable. The girl is special and she may have some features that come across as looking like a male but in no way, shape or form does that mean she is male.

This is just humiliating for her and the family who now is being asked silly questions from the media in regards to her gender.

 

[hussein]

An absolute farce is what this is.

The stupidity shown by the IAAF is undescribable. The girl is special and she may have some features that come across as looking like a male but in no way, shape or form does that mean she is male.

This is just humiliating for her and the family who now is being asked silly questions from the media in regards to her gender.

Looks like a man to me. No wonder they want a gender test done..

Make your mind up.

 

[Oxy]

I feel sorry for her - she's only 18.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8249948.stm

Semenya tests as 'inter gender'

Gender tests on South Africa's 800m world champion Caster Semenya have revealed that she has an inter gender condition, BBC Sport understands.

 

[Keith]

I feel sorry for her - she's only 18.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8249948.stm

Semenya tests as 'inter gender'

Gender tests on South Africa's 800m world champion Caster Semenya have revealed that she has an inter gender condition, BBC Sport understands.

Apparently she has no ovaries, no womb and internal testes which creates the abormally high levels of testosterone found in her system. The term is hermaphrodite (I think?).

Not exactly her fault though. Does kinda ask the question what now? Will she still be able to compete? What about her medal already won?

 

[Keith]

And so the house of cards comes tumbling down.

ASA's boss (Chuene or something like that anyway) has finally admitted that he lied about Semenya's gender testing. She was tesetd before the race meet and the dr in charge specifically told this dude to withdraw Semenya from the race. He refused to listen and let her run.

Bugger off now you stupid moron. You have just ruined an innocents girls whole life you freakin dimwit.

 

[Oxy]

Well they messed with an innocent kids future for the sake of a medal.

Administrators are usually on a different planet (as we know if you follow Pak cricket!)

 

[hasanb]

I dont think the IAAF should be vilified on this one, yes its true they perhaps could have handled it slightly better, however the results of the testing clearly show that the IAAFs actions were more than justified. Sooner or later therefore semenya would have had to face the media storm regarding this issue.

Correct action taken by the IAAF and the correct decision was reached...I believe this is enough grounds to strip the medals that 'she' won, and I would certainly take that decision if i could. However I think maybe its sufficient if 'she' is simply banned from future womens eventsl

 

[Gabbar Singh]

8 years on and the controversy rages on. It's a tough situation and can see both sides of the argument here.

Genetically she's clearly more male than all of her competitors however it's not her fault she was born that way. If she can't race again women where is she meant to race?

 

[James]

It has been medically proven that Semenya has a clear and significant advantage over all of the other competitors in the division. A controversial issue for sure.

 

[KingKhanWC]

8 years on and the controversy rages on. It's a tough situation and can see both sides of the argument here.

Genetically she's clearly more male than all of her competitors however it's not her fault she was born that way. If she can't race again women where is she meant to race?

Dont race. It's a sport not a charity and the biggest rule of sport is fairness.

 

[troodon]

Looks like a man. Not fair for other sprinters.

 

[Major]

Dont race. It's a sport not a charity and the biggest rule of sport is fairness.

usain bolt also has a genetical advantage over his competitors.

Infact, the game of basketball is all about the one with a genetical advantage.

Its easy for you to say dont race. The person spent her whole life training for this, working hard

 

[kingusama92]

Dont race. It's a sport not a charity and the biggest rule of sport is fairness.

If so, all competitors should have equal testosterone levels and use hormone therapy to hit a specific number.

Under current conditions, take any two female racers and they won't have the same testosterone reading.

 

[James]

If so, all competitors should have equal testosterone levels and use hormone therapy to hit a specific number.

Under current conditions, take any two female racers and they won't have the same testosterone reading.

Semenya has triple the average female testosterone levels though, due to being biologically intersexual. That is an advantage that one could not even gain through doping.

 

[faraz39]

So are we going to tell a runner who has longer legs than average or more muscle, etc. to have it reduced? I don't see the issue with Semenya. So she has more testosterone than other female runners which gives her an advantage. She's been declared a female legally so I don't see why higher testosterone levels matters even if they give her an advantage.

 

[KingKhanWC]

So are we going to tell a runner who has longer legs than average or more muscle, etc. to have it reduced? I don't see the issue with Semenya. So she has more testosterone than other female runners which gives her an advantage. She's been declared a female legally so I don't see why higher testosterone levels matters even if they give her an advantage.

Nothing wrong with her being declared a female but this is sport. The crediblity and fairness of the sport must come first. Of course its a shame of the athlete but as James as pointed out, her advantage is too big and shouldn't be ignored.

 

[faraz39]

Nothing wrong with her being declared a female but this is sport. The crediblity and fairness of the sport must come first. Of course its a shame of the athlete but as James as pointed out, her advantage is too big and shouldn't be ignored.

Just because the advantage is big, why should it matter? In basketball, if someone shows up at 9ft, are we going to disqualify him/her because it's too much of an advantage? or someone who is very muscular and can bowl at 150 km/hr?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Just because the advantage is big, why should it matter? In basketball, if someone shows up at 9ft, are we going to disqualify him/her because it's too much of an advantage? or someone who is very muscular and can bowl at 150 km/hr?

Those are natural variations in physical attributes. The issue here the athlete competes against a certain sex but biologically is intersexual.

 

[faraz39]

But what does it mean to be biologically intersexual? If she has female parts, feels female, and is legally declared female, what makes her intersexual?

 

[KingKhanWC]

But what does it mean to be biologically intersexual? If she has female parts, feels female, and is legally declared female, what makes her intersexual?

Results from the infamous ‘Gender Test’ show that she is a HERMAPHRODITE.

Semenya has NO womb or ovaries and has internal testes, the male sexual organs which produce testosterone.

IAAF source was quoted today as saying: "There certainly is evidence now that Semenya is a hermaphrodite.”

http://www.betus.com.pa/sports-bett...sults-south-african-runner-is-a-hermaphrodite

Has both female and male attributes so would be unfair to race with women. It would kill the credibility of the sport.

 

[Sachin136]

usain bolt also has a genetical advantage over his competitors.

Infact, the game of basketball is all about the one with a genetical advantage.

Its easy for you to say dont race. The person spent her whole life training for this, working hard

It is a sex segregated sport. You can't call it his a genetic advantage. Otherwise, all male athletes merely have a competitive advantage over the female ones, and they should also be allowed to compete against women.

 

[kingusama92]

Semenya has triple the average female testosterone levels though, due to being biologically intersexual. That is an advantage that one could not even gain through doping.

But does she have three times the advantage?

400M record is 47.60, Semanya hit 50.40.

Shouldn't she be dominating with all the world records? It seems a regular woman can easily trump her.

 

[Sachin136]

But does she have three times the advantage?

400M record is 47.60, Semanya hit 50.40.

Shouldn't she be dominating with all the world records? It seems a regular woman can easily trump her.

Just because she is not doing extremely well doesn't mean that she doesn't have an unfair advantage.

 

[MenInG]

Cape Town - Two-time South African Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya is challenging a recently introduced IAAF regulation, calling it "discriminatory."

READ: IAAF to Semenya: Lower testosterone levels, or quit

According to the New York Times website, Semenya will on Monday file a legal case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland in an attempt to block a much-debated rule that seeks to limit the permitted testosterone levels in female athletes in races over certain distances.

Semenya, 27, called the rule - which is scheduled to go into effect in November 2018 for races from 400m to one mile - medically unnecessary, “discriminatory, irrational, unjustifiable” and a violation of the rules of sport and universally-recognised human rights.

“I am very upset that I have been pushed into the public spotlight again,” Semenya said in her first extensive remarks about the rule since it was announced in April.

“I don’t like talking about this new rule,” she said. “I just want to run naturally, the way I was born. It is not fair that I am told I must change. It is not fair that people question who I am.”

She continued: “I am Mokgadi Caster Semenya. I am a woman and I am fast.”

The new rule is an attempt by track’s governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), to reinstate regulations governing female athletes with elevated testosterone levels.

The IAAF said in a statement that athletes with differences of sexual development could have a 5-6 percent advantage in performance over athletes with testosterone in the normal female range, “which is an enormous difference in events where milliseconds count. The effects are most clearly seen in races over distances between 400m and one mile, where the combination of increased lean body mass and elevated circulating haemoglobin appears to have the greatest combined impact.”

The new rule would affect women with testosterone levels of five nanomoles per litre and above and would regulate eligibility for major international competitions like the Olympics and world championships.

Most women, including elite female athletes, have natural testosterone levels of 0.12 to 1.79 nanomoles per litre, the IAAF said, while the normal male range after puberty is much higher, at 7.7 to 29.4 nanomoles per litre.

A spokesperson for the IAAF added, “We stand ready to defend the new regulations at the Court of Arbitration should we be asked to do so.”

https://www.sport24.co.za/OtherSpor...challenge-testosterone-rule-in-court-20180618

 

[MenInG]

CASTER SEMENYA CHALLENGES THE IAAF ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS FOR FEMALE CLASSIFICATION AT THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS)

Lausanne, 19 June 2018 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered a request for
arbitration filed by Caster Semenya against the International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF) against the “IAAF Eligibility Regulations for Female Classification (Athletes with Differences
of Sex Development)” that are due to come into effect on 1 November 2018.

Caster Semenya seeks a ruling from CAS to declare such regulations unlawful and to prevent them
from being brought into force.

An arbitration procedure has been opened.

The parties will exchange written submissions and the Panel, once appointed, will issue directions with
respect to the holding of a hearing and, at a later date, issue a final decision (Arbitral Award).

 

[MenInG]

Olympic champion Caster Semenyastole the show at the SA Sports Awards held in Bloemfontein on Sunday night.

The 800m world champion walked away with the

Sports Star of the Year, Sportswoman of the Yearand People’s Choice awards.

The

Sportsman of the Year award went to swim sensation Chad le Clos.

Awards winners

Sports star of the year: Caster Semenya

Sportsman of the year: Chad le Clos

Sportswoman of the Year: Caster Semenya

Sportsman of the year with disability: Mdodozi Ntutu

Sportswoman of the year with disability: Anrune Liebenberg

Team of the year: Banyana Banyana

Newcomer of the year: Tatjana Schoenmaker

Coach of the year: Samuel Sepeng

Volunteer of the year: Linda Hlophe

Indigenous games team of the year: Morabaraba Team

The Recreation body of the year: Mavu Sport Development

National Federation of the year: Softball

School team of the year: St Benedict’s College

Developing school of the year: Machakela-Mamodibo Secondary School

Sport Administrator of the Year: Virginia Mabaso

People's Choice Award: Caster Semenya

https://m.sport24.co.za/OtherSport/caster-steals-show-at-sa-sports-awards-20181112

 

[MenInG]

CSA THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND CASTER SEMENYA

Friday, February 15, 2019

CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) has thrown its weight behind national icon Caster Semenya and her valiant fight for gender equality ahead of her landmark hearing at the Court of Arbitration (CAS) next week.

The double 800 metres Olympic champion is set to challenge a proposed rule by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) aiming to restrict testosterone levels in female runners.

“We stand here as the cricket fraternity joining all the voices throughout the world, to denounce the IAAF Gender Regulations as an act of discrimination against women in sport,” CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe said.

“We state categorically and emphatically that women like Caster, who is born with intersex variations, should enjoy the same rights to dignity as all women.

“We honour, celebrate and recognise the equality of all women in sport.

“As the national cricket body for cricket in South Africa, we call on all morally astute global citizens to rally behind Caster and vocally join in advocating for her right to continue compete at the highest level.

“This attempt at systematically ostracizing potential and talent should be condemned in the strongest terms. Together, let’s hit gender discrimination for six!”, concluded Mr. Moroe

 

[Abdullah719]

Caster Semenya: United Nations criticises 'humiliating' IAAF rule

Plans to classify female athletes by their testosterone levels "contravene international human rights" says the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya, 28, is challenging the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over its bid to restrict levels of testosterone in female runners.

The UN called the plans "unnecessary, humiliating and harmful".

The IAAF said the motion given to the UN contained "inaccurate statements".

Under the IAAF rules, female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels would have to race against men or change events unless they took medication to reduce those levels.

The regulations will apply to women in track events from 400m up to one mile and require that athletes have to keep their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount "for at least six months prior to competing".

The issue was discussed at the UN Human Rights Council's 40th session in March, at which delegates asked for a detailed report to be put together for a future meeting.

In the meantime, the body put on record its "concerns" with the IAAF proposals.

The council said it wanted governing bodies "to refrain from developing and enforcing policies and practices that force, coerce or otherwise pressure women and girl athletes into undergoing unnecessary, humiliating and harmful medical procedures in order to participate in women's events in competitive sports".

Writing in the British Medical Journal, experts recently claimed the IAAF's regulations risked "setting an unscientific precedent for other cases of genetic advantage".

Speaking in June, two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion Semenya called the rule "unfair", adding: "I just want to run naturally, the way I was born."

The IAAF intended to bring in new rules on 1 November 2018 but the subsequent legal challenge prompted that to be delayed until the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) had ruled on the matter.

That ruling was due on 26 March but Cas has postponed it until next month.

A win for Semenya would see her free to continue competing the way she has always done, but a loss means the South African athlete could end up not competing altogether, competing against men or having to take medicine to lower her hormone levels.

Semenya has previously been asked to undertake gender testing by athletics chiefs, but no results have officially been made public.

Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, which affects endurance.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/47690512

 

[Zeeraq]

Caster Semenya: Olympic 800m champion loses appeal against IAAF testosterone rules

Caster Semenya has lost a landmark case against athletics' governing body meaning it will be allowed to restrict testosterone levels in female runners.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) rejected the South African's challenge against the IAAF's new rules.

But Cas said it had "serious concerns as to the future practical application" of the regulations.

Olympic 800m champion Semenya, 28, said in response to the ruling that the IAAF "have always targeted me specifically".

Now she - and other athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) - must either take medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile, or change to another distance.

"For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of Cas will not hold me back," said Semenya in a statement.

"I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world."

Previously, she had said that she wanted to "run naturally, the way I was born".

Cas found that the rules for athletes with DSD were discriminatory - but that the discrimination was "necessary, reasonable and proportionate" to protect "the integrity of female athletics".

However, Cas set out serious concerns about the application of the rules, including:

-Worries that athletes might unintentionally break the strict testosterone levels set by the IAAF;
-Questions about the advantage higher testosterone gives athletes over 1500m and the mile;
-The practicalities for athletes of complying with the new rules.

Cas has asked the IAAF to consider delaying the application of the rules to the 1500m and one mile events until more evidence is available.

Semenya is still eligible to compete at the Diamond League meet in Doha on Friday and can make an appeal against the Cas ruling to the Swiss Tribunal Courts within the next 30 days.

What are disorders/differences of sex development (DSD)?

People with a DSD do not develop along typical gender lines.

Their hormones, genes, reproductive organs may be a mix of male and female characteristics, which can lead to higher levels of testosterone - a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin, which affects endurance.

The term "disorders" is controversial with some of those affected preferring the term "intersex" and referring to "differences in sex development".

The new rules come into effect on 8 May, which means athletes who want to compete at September's World Championships - also in Doha - will have to start taking medication within one week.

Those affected by the rules will have to have a blood test on 8 May to test their eligibility. A statement from the IAAF said that no athlete "will be forced to undergo any assessment" and that any treatment was up to the individual athlete.

Athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) have higher levels of natural testosterone, which the IAAF believes gives them a competitive advantage - findings that were disputed by Semenya and her legal team.

Her lawyers had previously said her "genetic gift" should be celebrated, adding: "Women with differences in sexual development have genetic variations that are no different than other genetic variations in sport."

They have also suggested that Semenya "does not wish to undergo medical intervention to change who she is and how she was born".

What are the proposed changes?

The rules, applying to women in track events from 400m up to the mile, require athletes to keep their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount "for at least six months prior to competing".

However, 100m, 200m and 100m hurdles are exempt, as are races longer than one mile and field events.

Female athletes affected must take medication for six months before they can compete, and then maintain a lower testosterone level.

The rules were intended to be brought in on 1 November 2018, but the legal challenge from Semenya and Athletics South Africa caused that to be delayed until 26 March.

The United Nations Human Rights Council has called the plans "unnecessary, harmful and humiliating" and South Africa's sports minister called them a "human rights violation".
What next for Semenya?

On Friday, Semenya won 5,000m gold at the South African Athletics Championships - a new distance for her, and one outside the scope of the IAAF rule change.

It was only the second time Semenya had run the distance and she finished more than 100m ahead of defending national champion Dominque Scott.

However, Scott said she was unsure whether Semenya could be a serious Olympic contender over the longer distance.

Semenya is national and Commonwealth champion at 1500m, and also broke the African 400m record in August.

What is the difference between transgender and intersex?

Dr Seema Patel, senior law lecturer at Nottingham Trent University.

We have heard a lot about transgender over the past year. Obviously that's a natural discussion that's going to take place, but Semenya is not transgender.

Intersex is a term used to refer to differences of sexual development in individuals. It can relate to men and women and can manifest itself externally, with varied external genitalia or characteristics, or internally in relation to chromosomes and testosterone.

It can have health repercussions on athletes. Individuals can live their life not knowing they have any DSD.

Transgender describes a person whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.

They may have reassignment to make that transition or they may wish to identify themselves as male or female without making any physiological transitions.
'Wrong in principle' - reaction to verdict

Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova: "The verdict against Semenya is dreadfully unfair to her and wrong in principle. She has done nothing wrong and it is awful that she will now have to take drugs to be able to compete. General rules should not be made from exceptional cases and the question of transgender athletes remains unresolved."

Marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe: "I understand how hard a decision this was for Cas and respect them for ruling that women's sport needs rules to protect it."

Megha Mohan, BBC Gender and Identity reporter: "The spectrum of identity stretches far beyond the binary, say human rights activists, so shouldn't Semenya's physical abilities be celebrated the same way as Usain Bolt's height and Michael Phelps's wingspan are? Either way this verdict does not signal the end of the debate."

Timeline

-31 July 2009: 18-year-old Semenya runs fastest 800m time of the year to win gold at the Africa Junior Championships.
-August 2009: Semenya undertakes a gender test before the World Championships in Berlin. She is unaware of the purpose of the test, with Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene telling her it is a random doping test.
-19 August 2009: Semenya wins 800m world gold, breaking the world-leading mark she set in July. After her victory, the news of Semenya's gender test is leaked to the press.
-November 2009: There are reports that Semenya's test has revealed male and female characteristics. The results are not made public.
-6 July 2010: Semenya is cleared by the IAAF to compete again.
-22 August 2010: Semenya wins the 800m at an IAAF event in Berlin.
-11 August 2012: Semenya wins 800m silver at the 2012 London Olympics. This is later upgraded to gold after Russian winner Mariya Savinov is given a lifetime ban for doping violations. Semenya is also upgraded to 2011 world gold.
-July 2014: India sprinter Dutee Chand, 18, is banned from competing after a hormone test shows natural natural levels of testosterone normally only found in men.
-23 March 2015: Chand begins a legal challenge against the IAAF's so-called gender tests.
-27 July 2015: Chand is cleared to compete; the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspends, for two years, the introduction of an earlier version of IAAF rules requiring female athletes to take testosterone-suppressing medication.
-20 August 2016: Semenya wins 800m gold at the Rio Olympics, but the decision to allow her to compete is questioned by other athletes.
-4 July 2017: Research commissioned by the IAAF finds female athletes with high testosterone levels have a "competitive advantage".
-26 April 2018: The IAAF introduces new rules for female runners with naturally high testosterone.
-19 June 2018: Semenya says she will challenge the "unfair" IAAF rules.
-18 February 2019: Semenya's legal hearing begins at Cas.
-1 May 2019: Semenya loses her challenge.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/48102479

 

[MenInG]

Athletics South Africa (ASA) says it is "reeling in shock" after Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya lost a landmark case against athletics' governing body.

The South African, 28, challenged new IAAF rules which attempt to restrict testosterone levels in female runners.

Athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) must now take medication to compete in some track events or change to another distance.

ASA said the decision "goes to lengths to justify" discrimination.

Semenya had challenged the IAAF's new rules at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) but on Wednesday it announced it had rejected the appeal.

"We believe their decision is disgraceful," ASA added.

And it said by justifying discrimination, Cas had "seen it fit to open the wounds of apartheid" - the South African political system which enforced white rule and racial segregation until 1991 - which it pointed out was "condemned by the whole world as a crime against humanity".

'I will rise above' - Semenya loses landmark case
'Nobody has truly won in Semenya case - one side has just lost less than the other'
Semenya Q&A: Why is her case pivotal?
Cas found the rules for athletes with DSD, like Semenya, were discriminatory - but that the discrimination was "necessary, reasonable and proportionate" to protect "the integrity of female athletics".

But, in making the ruling on Wednesday, Cas said it had "serious concerns as to the future practical application" of the regulations.

Semenya, a multiple Olympic, World and Commonwealth champion, said she believed the IAAF "have always targeted me specifically".

"We are reeling in shock at how a body held in high esteem like Cas can endorse discrimination without flinching," said ASA in a statement on Wednesday.

"For Cas does not only condone discrimination but also goes to lengths to justify it, only undermines the integrity that this body is entrusted with.

"We are deeply disappointed and profoundly shocked."

Semenya is still eligible to compete at the Diamond League meet in Doha on Friday and can make an appeal against the Cas ruling to the Swiss Tribunal Courts within the next 30 days.

ASA said it was "encouraged to take the matter further" because of some of the observations raised by Cas in the ruling.

"ASA was confident of a favourable outcome given the human rights, medico-legal and scientific arguments and evidence that we believe invalidated the regulations," it added.

"It is these facts that have left ASA shocked that Cas rejected these compelling factors in favour of the IAAF.

"ASA reiterates that this may not be the end of the matter."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/48128682

 

[MenInG]

JOHANNESBURG - Caster Semenya broke her silence on Friday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled she must take medication to lower her naturally produced testosterone.

The two-time Olympic champion timed 198 to defeat Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, who clocked 1min 57.75sec and Ajee Wilson of the United States in 1min 58.83sec.

On the sidelines of the race in Doha, her last 800m race before the controversial rules kick in, when asked by a journalist how she felt about people who were against her racing, she said: “this was the part of life”.

“It was an amazing race. When you open a stadium like this you must give people a show, so for me this is life,” said Semenya.

The new IAAF rules governing testosterone levels come into operation on 8 May.

When asked how she felt about continuing to race against those who did not want her to, Semenya said it was “bigger than her”.

“Actions speak louder than words. When you’re a great champion you always deliver,” Semenya told the BBC after setting a new meeting record.

“With me, life has been simple. I’m just here to deliver for the people who love and support me. I’m enjoying each and every moment of my life maybe because I have the love I need from my people.”

Asked if she intended to take the medication required to lower her testosterone levels, she later told reporters with a smile: “Hell no, that’s an illegal method.”

https://ewn.co.za/2019/05/03/semeny...than-me?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[MenInG]

Caster Semenya will not need to take testosterone-reducing medication to compete after a Swiss court temporarily suspended a new IAAF ruling.

The Olympic 800m champion, 28, last month lost her challenge to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) against the implementation of a restriction on testosterone levels in female runners.

The ruling would have affected women competing from 400m to the mile.

"I hope following my appeal I will once again be able to run free," she said.

"I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision."

Following the decision by Cas, the South African took her appeal to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, citing the need to defend "fundamental human rights".

Her legal representative Dr Dorothee Schramm said: "The court has granted welcome temporary protection to Caster Semenya.

"This is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes."

In a statement to BBC Sport, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland said it had "super-provisionally instructed the IAAF to suspend the application of the 'Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification for athletes with differences of sex development' with respect to the claimant, until the decision on the request for issuance of provisional measures".

It added: "At present, it is not known when the Swiss Federal Supreme Courts will issue an interlocutory order concerning these provisional measures."

The IAAF said it had yet to receive notification of the new decision from the Swiss court.

In its initial judgement Cas found that the new rules proposed by the IAAF - athletics' world governing body - for athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) were discriminatory, but concluded that the discrimination was "necessary, reasonable and proportionate" to protect "the integrity of female athletics".

Timeline
31 July 2009: 18-year-old Semenya runs fastest 800m time of the year to win gold at the Africa Junior Championships.
August 2009: Semenya undertakes a gender test before the World Championships in Berlin. She is unaware of the purpose of the test, with Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene telling her it is a random doping test.
19 August 2009: Semenya wins 800m world gold, breaking the world-leading mark she set in July. After her victory, the news of Semenya's gender test is leaked to the press.
November 2009: There are reports that Semenya's test has revealed male and female characteristics. The results are not made public.
6 July 2010: Semenya is cleared by the IAAF to compete again.
22 August 2010: Semenya wins the 800m at an IAAF event in Berlin.
11 August 2012: Semenya wins 800m silver at the 2012 London Olympics. This is later upgraded to gold after Russian winner Mariya Savinov is given a lifetime ban for doping violations. Semenya is also upgraded to 2011 world gold.
July 2014: India sprinter Dutee Chand, 18, is banned from competing after a hormone test shows natural natural levels of testosterone normally only found in men.
23 March 2015: Chand begins a legal challenge against the IAAF's so-called gender tests.
27 July 2015: Chand is cleared to compete; the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspends, for two years, the introduction of an earlier version of IAAF rules requiring female athletes to take testosterone-suppressing medication.
20 August 2016: Semenya wins 800m gold at the Rio Olympics, but the decision to allow her to compete is questioned by other athletes.
4 July 2017: Research commissioned by the IAAF finds female athletes with high testosterone levels have a "competitive advantage".
26 April 2018: The IAAF introduces new rules for female runners with naturally high testosterone.
19 June 2018: Semenya says she will challenge the "unfair" IAAF rules.
18 February 2019: Semenya's legal hearing begins at Cas.
1 May 2019: Semenya loses her challenge.
29 May 2019: Semenya to make new appeal to Swiss federal supreme court.
3 June 2019: Swiss court temporarily suspends new IAAF rules, says her legal team.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/48504205

 

[MenInG]

Caster Semenya says she will not defend her World Championship 800m title in September after a setback in her challenge to the restricting of testosterone levels in female runners.

But the South African said she would "continue her fight for human rights" despite her "disappointment".

Semenya has twice appealed against IAAF rules preventing her from running without medication.

But a ruling allowing her to compete has now been overturned.

Case has destroyed me 'mentally and physically' - Semenya
IAAF wants Swiss ruling overturned
Q&A: Caster Semenya case
Semenya is challenging world governing body the IAAF's new rules that she and other athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) must either take testosterone-reducing medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile or change to another distance.

Semenya had been able to race while awaiting the decision of a Swiss court, having previously lost an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in May.

The latest ruling by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court means she will not be allowed to compete at the World Championships in Doha.

"I am very disappointed to be kept from defending my hard-earned title," Semenya, 28, said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"But this will not deter me from continuing my fight for the human rights of all of the female athletes concerned."

The IAAF said it wanted the suspension of the rules to be reversed to avoid "serious confusion" among athletes and event organisers and "to protect the integrity of the sport".

It rejected the accusation in the letter that its regulations "enforce gender inequality", saying in response that the rule was introduced "precisely because the IAAF is committed to protecting the rights and opportunities of female athletes".

In May, Semenya filed an appeal to the court after failing to have new IAAF rules overturned by Cas.

Dorothee Schramm, the lawyer leading Semenya's appeal, added: "The judge's procedural decision has no impact on the appeal itself. We will continue to pursue Caster's appeal and fight for her fundamental human rights. A race is always decided at the finish line."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/49169509

 

[cricketjoshila]

This is just sad. What Semenya has is natural. She is not taking anything artificial to get the hormone levels up. If her body is producing these hormones at a increased level then thats that.

Just like some athletes have more fast twitch fibres. Some are taller etc etc.

Forcing them to take medications to curb them is inhuman.

 

[big_gamer007]

I feel for her. No one deserves to go through what she's going through. I can understand both sides of arguments and frankly I don't know what is the solution here. But as a human I would have wanted IAAF to let her compete without any medicines.

 

[WC-Passion]

It feels quite cruel but you can understand why they made the decision.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It feels quite cruel but you can understand why they made the decision.

Why?

 

[WC-Passion]

Why?

She clearly has a biological advantage. She has both male and female attributes. It's not just some genetic variation, she's got "male biology" too. I'm not saying it's right either or that I agree with it but rather I understand why they asked her to do it. I say it feels cruel because she's naturally a hermaphrodite and to have to suppress something that is natural for her just so she can compete again feels very wrong, even if it's not as simple as "she's a woman, let her compete with the female athletes".

 

[Abdullah719]

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya joins South African football club JVW

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya has joined a South African women’s football club.

The 28-year-old, who won two 800-metre gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games, appears to have found a new career path.

Semenya is currently appealing against a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport which approved the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) introduction of a new testosterone limit for female athletes.

And the South African has refused to take hormone-suppressing drugs, which is preventing her from defending her 800m world title in Doha later this month.

Semenya is training with women’s football club JVW, who are based in Gauteng, South Africa with a view to making her debut next season.

She told the club’s website: “I am grateful for this opportunity and I appreciate the love and support I already get from the team.

“I am looking forward to this new journey, and hopefully I can contribute as much as I can to the club.”

This is not the first time an Olympic gold-winning athlete has crossed over to football.

Usain Bolt, the record holder for the fastest 100-metre time of 9.58 seconds, scored twice in a friendly for A-League club Central Coast Marines in Australia last year.

He was eventually offered a contract by the Mariners, but left in November after eight weeks with the club.

Speaking about Semenya’s arrival at JVW, club founder and South Africa captain Janine Van Wyk said: “I am absolutely honoured that out of all the other women’s clubs around the world, she has chosen JVW as the club where she would like to start showcasing her football skills.

“I welcomed her at her first training (session) with the team on Tuesday and was impressed to see that she definitely has all the fundamentals.”

https://talksport.com/football/597906/olympic-semenya-south-africa-jvw/

 

[MenInG]

Two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya says she is "supernatural" as she confidently targets the 200m at Tokyo 2020.

The 29-year-old cannot compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs after a World Athletics rule change.

South African Semenya ran 200m in 23.49 seconds - 0.69secs outside the Olympic qualifying time - at an event in Pretoria on Friday.

"I call myself supernatural," she said.

Tokyo Olympics will go ahead, says Japan PM
The three-time world 800m champion, who spoke of her decision to switch to the 200m in an Instagram post on Friday, must bring her time down to 22.80secs before 29 June to qualify for the South African Olympic team.

"We are chopping the times and I call myself supernatural. I can do anything I want," she added.

"I always challenge myself. This was not an easy decision to make.

"I am used to running two laps and then you come and run half a lap. You have to adjust, which is not easy, but anything is possible."

If Semenya qualifies for the Olympics - which begin on 24 July - she would be set to compete against Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith, who won 200m gold at the 2019 World Championships.

Semenya, who won Olympic gold in the 800m in 2012 and 2016, missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha last year, having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body's rule change.

World Athletics argued female athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) - such as Semenya - have "a competitive advantage".

In February, Semenya competed in her first track meeting since last June with victory in the 300m in Johannesburg, winning her race in a national record of 36.78secs.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/51888911

 

[MenInG]

Caster Semenya has lost her appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal to set aside a 2019 CAS ruling that female athletes with a high natural level of testosterone must take medication to reduce it.

 

[MenInG]

Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners.

Semenya is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs, following a 2019 rule change by governing body World Athletics.

The 30-year-old South African lost an appeal to Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court in September but still harbours hopes of defending her Olympic title in Tokyo this year.

"All we ask is to be allowed to run free, for once and for all, as the strong and fearless women we are and have always been," she said.

Her lawyers will argue Switzerland failed in its obligations to protect against the violation of her rights.

Athletics' governing body brought in a rule that athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) must either take medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile, or change to another distance.

Athletes with DSD have higher levels of natural testosterone, which World Athletics believes gives them a competitive advantage.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected a Semenya challenge against the rule in 2019.

The Swiss Supreme Court then temporarily suspended the ruling, before later reversing its decision.

It meant Semenya, who won Olympic gold in the 800m in both 2012 and 2016, missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha, having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body's rule change.

Caster Semenya Q&A: Who is she and why is her case important?
In a statement after the Swiss ruling in September, World Athletics said: "For the last five years World Athletics has fought for and defended equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls in our sport today and in the future.

"We therefore welcome today's decision by the Swiss Federal Tribunal to uphold our DSD regulations as a legitimate and proportionate means of protecting the right of all female athletes to participate in our sport on fair and meaningful terms."

The Swiss Supreme Court said: "Fairness in sport is a legitimate concern and forms a central principle of sporting competition. It is one of the pillars on which competition is based."

In March 2020, Semenya said she wants to run in the 200m in Tokyo, a distance for which she would not need to take medication.

To be able to compete, she would have to run a qualifying time of 22.80 seconds, although her current best is 23.49secs.

A statement from Semenya's lawyers Norton Rose Fulbright on Thursday said: "Whilst the timeline of the application remains to be determined by the court, Caster remains ever hopeful that she will soon be allowed to return to the starting line in the 800m at international competitions. "

 

[Stewie]

interesting case.
How is gender defined? nature of genitalia or hormone levels?

 

[MenInG]

Caitlyn Jenner has said that transgender athletes who were born male should not be allowed to compete in girls' sports teams.

Jenner recently announced she would run for California governor as a Republican in an effort to unseat Democrat Gavin Newsom.

The former Olympic decathlon medallist and reality TV star came out as transgender in 2015.

During what appeared to be an impromptu interview while walking her dog, she told TMZ: "This is a question of fairness.

"That's why I oppose biological boys who are trans competing in girls' sports in school.

"It just isn't fair, and we have to protect girls' sports in our schools."

When the reporter asked if such a ban was "de-legitimising" to a trans person's identity, Jenner did not address the question, instead saying: "Have a good day."

Later she shared the interview clip on Twitter, writing: "I didn't expect to get asked this on my Saturday morning coffee run, but I'm clear about where I stand.

"It's an issue of fairness and we need to protect girls' sports in our schools."

The Florida legislature passed laws this week that would restrict entry to girls' sports teams to those who were born female.

Similar laws have been passed in West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

South Dakota's governor has issued an executive order and dozens of other states are considering legislature.

According to research cited by TMZ, it has not been conclusively proved that testosterone levels are a reason for transwomen to outperform their cisgender counterparts in some sports.

Studies suggest that, once trans girls start hormone therapy, their performances tend to level out, and many athletic organisations require trans athletes to be on hormone therapy.

Jenner has revealed only a vague outline of her political agenda for the California race: cutting taxes, repairing the economy, and providing balance in a state where politics is dominated by the Democratic Party.

She has a large social media audience, with nearly 11 million Instagram followers and 3.5 million followers on Twitter.

https://news.sky.com/story/caitlyn-...hould-not-play-on-girls-sports-teams-12292856

 

[OMB]

at this rate, we might end up having a Men's, Women's and then a Transgender event in every sport.

 

[ChTab]

at this rate, we might end up having a Men's, Women's and then a Transgender event in every sport.

International Olympic Committee should create a category for transgenders in every sport or at least in every individual sport because if it doesn't happen then women's sports won't last for very long because all the medals would be claimed by these transgender athletes.

 

[ChTab]

SEMENYA FAILS IN SECOND ATTEMPT TO QUALIFY FOR TOKYO OLYMPICS

Star South African athlete Caster Semenya failed again on Friday in Durban to qualify for the 5,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

She clocked 15 minutes 32.15 seconds - 22.15 sec outside the qualifying time of 15:10.00 for the 23 July to 8 August Games in the Japanese capital.

Semenya won a race arranged so that the 30-year-old could attempt to book a place in the South African Olympic team.

It was her second bid to qualify after clocking 15:52.28 last month in Pretoria at an altitude of 1,339 metres (4,393 feet).

Posting a quicker time at sea level in Indian Ocean port city Durban was expected as runners breathe easier at sea level.

Semenya has been the Olympic champion twice and world champion three times over 800m, but is barred from competing over that distance by World Athletics' testosterone-reducing regulations.

Females like Semenya who have unusually high levels of testosterone, which gives them added strength, are prohibited from competing in races between 400m and a mile.

The South African refuses to take medication that would reduce here testosterone level and has twice failed in legal battles to overturn the World Athletics decision.

She recently took her case to the European Court of Human Rights, but it is unlikely to be heard before the Olympics begin.

Reacting to the ban, Semenya initially favoured seeking qualification for the 200m, but became concerned about potential injuries and switched to 5,000m.

The International Olympic Committee has set June 29 as the qualification deadline for athletes wanting to compete in Japan.

https://ewn.co.za/2021/05/28/semeny...lympics?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[MenInG]

World Athletics should introduce a third category of events in order to allow competitors with high testosterone levels to compete in their preferred disciplines, Kenyan 800m runner Margaret Wambui has said.

Like other athletes classified as having differences of sexual development - or DSD - Wambui cannot contest any distance between 400m and one mile in the female category unless she artificially reduces her testosterone levels.

The Kenyan was an 800m bronze medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games.

"It would be good if a third category for athletes with high testosterone was introduced - because it is wrong to stop people from using their talents," Wambui told BBC Sport Africa.

The sport's governing body, World Athletics, says it has no plans to introduce such a category and will stick to its current classifications of men's and women's events.

The idea of a third category in athletics has been floated before, but Wambui is the first athlete to express outright support for the suggestion.

"We would be the first people to compete in that category - so we can motivate others who are hiding their condition," she said.

"We could show them that it is not their fault, that this is how they were created, and that they've done nothing wrong."

'I feel bad that I won't be at the Olympics'
The 25-year-old, who has not raced competitively since July 2019, will not be competing at the Tokyo Olympics, having struggled to choose between competing in either sprints or long distances.

Since World Athletics introduced its latest rules governing DSD athletes in 2018, not one of the three athletes who stood on the 800m podium in Rio has contested the distance at a global international championship.

At the 2016 Games, Wambui was beaten to gold by South Africa's Caster Semenya and silver by Burundi's Francine Niyonsaba.

"It is sad to see that whole podium won't be there," said Wambui.

"They cut short our careers, because that wasn't our plan. I feel bad that I won't be in the Olympics because of World Athletics rules."

On Wednesday, Niyonsaba qualified for the Olympics in the 5,000m.

The three are classified as having differences of sexual development owing to their higher than normal testosterone levels. These DSD athletes consider themselves barred from the distance.

According to the World Athletics rules published in 2018, female DSD athletes cannot run any event between 400m and one mile - unless they lower their high testosterone levels, which the athletics global body claims give the runners an unfair advantage.

Athletics' global body says testosterone can boost endurance and muscle mass, among other effects, and that the DSD rules are needed to "ensure fair and meaningful competition within the female classification".

Athletes can reduce levels by taking specific drugs or having surgery - although the second is not necessarily recommended.

None of the women's 800m medallists from the 2016 Olympics in Rio will be competing in the same event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo

Two-time Olympic champion Semenya is currently leading a campaign against the DSD rules.

Despite repeated failures in the law courts of Europe, she is continuing to fight.

In February, she took her case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that the decision to ask athletes to change their bodies is a violation of their human rights.

The 30-year-old's legal team are also questioning the very definition of a sports body - currently classified as private organisations - as a means of fighting World Athletics' DSD rules.

"If we can get a judgment from the European Court which says that international sporting bodies are not private bodies above and beyond international conventions of human rights, that will be an extremely important thing for sport in general," said Patrick Bracher, one of Semenya's lawyers.

"International sporting bodies will become sort of state-related bodies - because they cover things internationally - and that will be a major prize for sport.

"World Athletics will have to take account of that because they will know that when they go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [sport's highest legal body] in future, ultimately they will have to apply broader social issues: in other words, human rights issues."

Should they lose, Bracher admits it will be the end of the road for Semenya's legal challenge.

Differing opinions
However, unlike Wambui, Semenya does not want a third category introduced in athletics.

"Caster Semenya was born, raised, and trained, lived and competed as a woman and the entire case is about her right to do so," said Bracher.

"Worse than that is the fact that if you create a category like this, it means no one can run within that category without publicly declaring private health details. It would just be another form of sex testing by enforced self-declaration."

Meanwhile, World Athletics has ruled out any possibility of a third category.

"It should be noted that athletes with this condition make up 0.7% of the elite female athlete population, so a third category may not be viable in many events," World Athletics said in a statement to the BBC.

Such a stance means that Wambui - who says "taking [testosterone-reducing] drugs has never crossed my mind" - will never again be able to contest her favourite distance.

After plenty of deliberation, the 26-year-old has chosen to try the 5,000m, which will mean a lengthy lay-off from competition as she adjusts to the longer distance.

"It will be painful watching the Olympics on TV knowing that I would have been capable of qualifying," she said.

"But I will watch [the Games] because sport is in my blood."

BBC

 

[OMB]

Caster Semenya failed in her latest attempt to achieve the Olympic qualifying time for the 5,000m, but she would not have been included in the South Africa team for the Tokyo Games even if she had.

 

[MenInG]

World Athletics has released a report admitting that findings that banned Caster Semenya and several other athletes from taking part in the Tokyo Olympics are ‘misleading’. It comes just nine days after the closing day of the Olympic Games.

The 2017 study banned Semenya – who holds two 800m Olympic gold medals – from taking part under rules prohibiting athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) from competing at distances between 400m and the mile, unless they take hormone-reducing drugs.

This was based on evidence that found females with high testosterone levels had a competitive advantage over those with low levels.

‘Exploratory’ findings
However, in the new report, scientists Stephane Bermon and Pierre-Yves Garnier of World Athletics said the findings published in the paper are not ‘confirmatory’ or evidence for a causal relationship. They said:

‘To be explicit, there is no confirmatory evidence for causality in the observed relationships reported. We acknowledge that our 2017 study was exploratory.’

They added: ‘With this in mind, we recognise that statements in the paper could have been misleading by implying a causal inference.

‘Specifically, “Female athletes with high fT [testosterone] levels have a significant competitive advantage over those with low fT in 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, hammer throw, and pole vault.”

‘This statement should be amended to: “High fT levels in female athletes were associated with higher athletic performance over those with low fT in 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, hammer throw, and pole vault.”’

Caster Semenya legal action
Prior the Tokyo Olympics, Semenya appealed to Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction and is currently awaiting a hearing at the European Court of Human Rights.

Now, Semenya’s lawyers are questioning why World Athletics has waited until after the Games before it released the report.

In a statement to Telegraph Sport, Semenya’s lawyer Gregory Nott, of Norton Rose Fulbright, said:

‘World Athletics have recently given notice of their wish to intervene in the European Court of Human Rights proceedings and we would hope that they will now support setting aside the regulations.

‘It is more than surprising that World Athletics did not reveal this evidence before the recent Tokyo Olympics and allow Caster to defend her 800m title.’

Contentious issue

Semenya isn’t the only athlete that has been banned from competing in events at the Tokyo Olympics under the reguling. Two 18-year-old Namibian runners, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, were also not allowed to compete in the 400m due to high testosterone levels.

This sparked controversy, however, when Mboma took home silver in the 200m, after breaking the world under-20 record twice on the way to the 200m final.

World Athletics president Seb Coe said Mboma’s performance vindicated the ruling about the 400m.

However, given the new information that has come to light, it’s likely that many campaigners will argue for these rules to be scrapped immediately.

https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a37339428/caster-semenyas-study/

 

[daytrader]

Caster Semenya out of world 5000m as Coe signals tougher female sport rules

• Semenya ‘blessed’ just to finish after shift from 800m pet event
• Coe says ‘science pretty clear’ on testosterone and performance

Caster Semenya’s first appearance in the world championships since 2017 saw her knocked out without fuss or fanfare after finishing 45 seconds off qualifying for Saturday’s 5000m final.

In temperatures that hit 32C, the South African finished 13th out of 16 runners in her heat in a time of 15 mins 46.12 secs, almost a minute behind the winner, Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia.

But she struck an upbeat note afterwards. “I’m cooking,” she told reporters. “It was hot and I could not keep up with the pace.

“I think it is great to be able to run here. Just being able to finish the 5km, for me it is a blessing. I am learning and I am willing to learn even more.”

Semenya had previously won the world title at 800m three times, including in her last appearance at London 2017, but is now barred from running international events from 400m to a mile unless she takes medication to reduce her testosterone levels.

That is because, as a 46 XY athlete with a difference of sex development, the Court of Arbitration of Sport has ruled that Semenya has an advantage over the female competitors against whom she races.

In 2019 when her case came to Cas, it also stated that “athletes with 46 XY DSD are ‘gonadally male’ meaning they have functioning tests that produce sperm and testosterone levels within the normal male range”.

There has been considerable sympathy for Semenya, as she was wrongly assigned as female at birth. However the Cas added that “athletes with a DSD will have exactly the same performance advantages over female athletes as non-DSD male athletes have.” It then quantified that advantage as between 10-12% in running events.

Caster Semenya
Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Semenya’s appearance at these world championships came as World Athletics president Sebastian Coe gave his clearest indication yet that the governing body would do more to protect female sport.

“We’ve always been guided by the science, and the science is pretty clear: we know that testosterone is the key determinant in performance,” he said.

“I’m really over having any more of these discussions with second-rate sociologists who sit there trying to tell me or the science community that there may be some issue. There isn’t. Testosterone is the key determinant in performance.”

Coe insisted it was his responsibility to “protect the integrity of women’s sport”.

“We have two categories in our sport: one is age and one is gender,” he added. “Age because we think it’s better that Olympic champions don’t run against 14-year-olds in community sports. And gender because if you don’t have a gender separation, no woman would ever win another sporting event.”

Elsewhere, on an otherwise low-key day of action, Britain’s Aimee Pratt ran the race of her life to finish seventh in the women’s 3000m final in 9:15.64 – breaking her national record by three seconds in a race won by Norah Kipruto.

There was also an impressive performance by Matthew Hudson-Smith who qualified second fastest for the men’s 400m, despite tummy issues in the home straight. The other Briton in the semi-finals, Alex Haydock-Wilson, missed out despite running a personal best of 45.08.

However there was bad news for Britain as Max Burgin, who has run the fastest 800m in the world this year, was forced to pull out before Wednesday’s heats due to injury.

The Guardian

 

[pillionrider]

Caster has XY chromosomes making him a man. It should be defined as simple as that instead of complicating things with definitions of intersex that there is no consensus about. The sports bodies should only have to deal with defining and making rules about athletes who are not XX or XY.

Women's rights are literally being trampled on in such cases but everyone's confused about how to go about this fight.

 

[MenInG]

Stormzy’s #Merky Books is to publish Olympian Caster Semenya’s memoir this year.

South African athlete Semenya, whose book is titled The Race to Be Myself, was just 18 when she won the 800m at the Berlin World Championships in 2009, but her win was quickly overshadowed by questions raised about her sex.

The double Olympic champion, who has also been world champion three times, has a condition known as hyperandrogenism, which means she has higher than usual levels of testosterone, increasing her muscle mass, strength and ability to use oxygen.

She is currently barred from running international events from 400m to a mile unless she takes medication to reduce her testosterone levels, following a ruling by the court of arbitration for sport (Cas).

Semenya took medication in 2011 after a first ruling by World Athletics. Speaking in an interview with HBO in 2022, Semenya said the medication “made me sick, made me gain weight, panic attacks”.

The athlete has twice failed to overturn Cas’s ruling, and in 2021 took her case to the European court of human rights.

With The Race to Be Myself, Semenya said she wanted to “educate, enlighten and inform about how the world can welcome those born different”.

“You may have heard some of my story over the years, and you might have seen me running or standing proudly on the podium at the Olympics,” she said. “But there is still so much I need to relate about strength, courage, love, resilience and being true to who you are. I want this book to show people around the world how to do just that.”

The book will be published on 31 October in the UK and the US. Penguin Random House’s Puffin is also due to publish an edition for young readers.

#MerkyBooks said The Race to be Myself would be told with “captivating speed, immediate candour and the spirit of defiance”, and would cover the athlete’s rural childhood, her athletic career and her legal battle, as well as give an insight into the “humiliation she has been forced to endure publicly and privately”.

Lemara Lindsay-Prince, senior commissioning editor at #Merky Books, said the book was “unflinching in its honesty” and “empowering in its tone, and captures the full scope of her life”.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/worl...p&cvid=633693955e7a404fb9bd09077f73d363&ei=11

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Caster Semenya: Double Olympic champion 'not ashamed of being different'

Two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya says she is "not going to be ashamed" of being "different", and will "fight for what is right" amid her ongoing dispute with athletics authorities.

Semenya, 32, was born with differences of sexual development (DSD) which mean she has an elevated level of testosterone - a hormone that increases muscle mass and strength.

The South African cannot compete in female track events without taking testosterone-reducing drugs.

Semenya said recently she was turning her attention to "winning battles against the authorities" rather than collecting medals, with competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics no longer a goal.

She said it was about "fighting for the upcoming generation because there are a lot of kids affected by the same ruling".

Semenya 'not ashamed of being different'

Caster Semenya tells the BBC she is "not going to be ashamed" of being "different", and will "fight for what is right" amid her ongoing dispute with athletics authorities.

www.bbc.com