Semenya to hear her fate
One of the most complex and controversial cases in the history of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to conclude this week.
Two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya's running future will be decided this week in a landmark case that will challenge both science and gender politics.
A ruling on the case was supposed to be given on 26 March but according to CAS was pushed back after receiving additional submissions and materials from both sides after the hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland, in February.
Semenya is looking to overturn eligibility rules proposed by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that hyper-androgenic athletes with high levels of natural testosterone need to lower them through medication or surgery to be eligible to compete in certain races at top meets like the Olympics and world championships.
The rules would apply to events from 400m to one mile. But while she awaits the decision, the runner has completed a 1 500m, and 5 000m double at the South African national championships over the weekend. Semenya won the 1 500m at Germiston Athletics Stadium on Friday.
The athlete also won the 5 000m on Thursday, but it was only her second competitive 5 000m race. The latter allows her to run without lowering her testosterone levels. She chose not to run her favoured two-lap race which she is fighting for.
Altogether she has earned titles in the 400, 800, 1,500 and 5 000m respectively having won an unprecedented treble - the 400, 800 and
1 500m in 2016.
Some top athletes in South Africa including the likes of Wayde van Niekerk have backed the gold medallist in her battle with the IAAF, saying on Friday that “it goes beyond track and field”.
The Olympic 400-metre champion told reporters on the sidelines of the South African championships that Semenya “is fighting for something” far greater.
“Caster is fighting for something beyond just track and field athletics - she is fighting for women in sports, in society and I respect her for that.”
“I support the hard work and talent she has put into the sport. With what she believes in and what she is dreaming of, I have got a lot of respect for her. I hope and pray that everything just goes from strength to strength for her,” said Van Niekerk.
Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) president Abner Xoagub also sided with IAAF's request in February, saying it is only trying to push for fair play.
“Semenya has an advantage over other athletes. She has more testosterone. The World Anti-Doping organisation demands that we always test our athletes. If they are caught doping or if we see that one has a high level of testosterone we are instructed to disqualify the athlete from competitions.
“The IAAF is not banning the athlete or trying to end her career, but is engaging with her so that she can compete on the same level as the rest because she has an advantage. These athletes also train hard. If Semenya is fit, bringing her testosterone down will not stop her from winning.”
LIMBA MUPETAMI
A ruling on the case was supposed to be given on 26 March but according to CAS was pushed back after receiving additional submissions and materials from both sides after the hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland, in February.
Semenya is looking to overturn eligibility rules proposed by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that hyper-androgenic athletes with high levels of natural testosterone need to lower them through medication or surgery to be eligible to compete in certain races at top meets like the Olympics and world championships.
The rules would apply to events from 400m to one mile. But while she awaits the decision, the runner has completed a 1 500m, and 5 000m double at the South African national championships over the weekend. Semenya won the 1 500m at Germiston Athletics Stadium on Friday.
The athlete also won the 5 000m on Thursday, but it was only her second competitive 5 000m race. The latter allows her to run without lowering her testosterone levels. She chose not to run her favoured two-lap race which she is fighting for.
Altogether she has earned titles in the 400, 800, 1,500 and 5 000m respectively having won an unprecedented treble - the 400, 800 and
1 500m in 2016.
Some top athletes in South Africa including the likes of Wayde van Niekerk have backed the gold medallist in her battle with the IAAF, saying on Friday that “it goes beyond track and field”.
The Olympic 400-metre champion told reporters on the sidelines of the South African championships that Semenya “is fighting for something” far greater.
“Caster is fighting for something beyond just track and field athletics - she is fighting for women in sports, in society and I respect her for that.”
“I support the hard work and talent she has put into the sport. With what she believes in and what she is dreaming of, I have got a lot of respect for her. I hope and pray that everything just goes from strength to strength for her,” said Van Niekerk.
Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) president Abner Xoagub also sided with IAAF's request in February, saying it is only trying to push for fair play.
“Semenya has an advantage over other athletes. She has more testosterone. The World Anti-Doping organisation demands that we always test our athletes. If they are caught doping or if we see that one has a high level of testosterone we are instructed to disqualify the athlete from competitions.
“The IAAF is not banning the athlete or trying to end her career, but is engaging with her so that she can compete on the same level as the rest because she has an advantage. These athletes also train hard. If Semenya is fit, bringing her testosterone down will not stop her from winning.”
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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