I am no threat to women’s sport, says Caster Semenya
The Olympic champion is waiting for a Court of Arbitration for Sport verdict about her ability to run without adjusting her hormone levels
Double Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya says she is “no threat” to women’s sport and that recent comments from International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe have re-opened old wounds. Semenya is awaiting a Court of Arbitration for Sport verdict on her appeal against an IAAF regulation that says female athletes classed as having differences in sexual development (DSD) gain an unfair advantage due to their higher testosterone levels, though only in races between 400m and 1,000m. Under the new rules, athletes classed as having DSD must reduce their blood testosterone level to below five nmol/l (nanomoles per litre) for a continuous period of six months before they can compete. They must then maintain it below that level. The court had been due to announce its decision on Tuesday but has postponed it until late April. Coe told Australia’s Daily Telegraph at the weekend: “The reason we have gender classification is because if you didn’t then no wom...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.