Caster Semenya has lost a landmark case against athletics’ governing body meaning it will be allowed to restrict testosterone levels in female runners.<\/p>\n
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) rejected the South African’s challenge against the IAAF’s new rules.<\/p>\n
But Cas said it had “serious concerns as to the future practical application” of the new rules.<\/p>\n
Semenya, 28, had said the regulations were “unfair” and that she wanted to “run naturally, the way I was born”.<\/p>\n
Now she – and other athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) – must either take medication in order to compete in events from 400m to the mile, or change events.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
However, Cas set out serious concerns about the application of the rules, including:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Semenya would still be eligible to compete at the Diamond League meet in Doha on Friday.<\/p>\n
People with a DSD do not develop along typical gender lines.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The term “disorders” is controversial with some of those affected preferring the term “intersex” and referring to “differences in sex development”.<\/p>\n
The new rules come into effect on 8 May, which means athletes who want to compete at September’s World Championships in Doha will have to start taking medication within one week.<\/p>\n
Those affected by the rules will have to have a blood test on 8 May to test their eligibility for Doha. A statement from the IAAF added that no athlete “will be forced to undergo any assessment” and that any treatment was up to the individual athlete.<\/p>\n
Athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) have higher levels of natural testosterone, which the IAAF believes\u00a0gives them a competitive advantage<\/a>\u00a0– findings that were disputed by Semenya and her legal team.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n 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”.<\/p>\n However, 100m, 200m and 100m hurdles are exempt, as are races longer than one mile and field events.<\/p>\n Female athletes affected must take medication for six months before they can compete, and then maintain a lower testosterone level.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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”.<\/p>\n On Friday, Semenya won 5,000m gold at the\u00a0South African Athletics Championships<\/a>\u00a0– a new distance for her, and one outside the scope of the IAAF rule change.<\/p>\n It was only the second time Semenya had run the distance and she finished more than 100m ahead of defending national champion Dominque Scott.<\/p>\n However, Scott said she was unsure whether Semenya could be a serious Olympic contender over the longer distance.<\/p>\n Semenya is national and Commonwealth champion at 1500m, and also broke the African 400m record in August.<\/p>\nWhat next for Semenya?<\/h3>\n
\nTimeline<\/h3>\n
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