South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya was barred by a Swiss court from competing at the World Championships in Doha in September due to her naturally elevated levels of testosterone.
In order to compete and defend her 800-meters title, she would need to take testosterone-reducing medication which Semenya refuses to do.
A revised policy by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) does not allow athletes with a difference of sexual development (DSD) to compete in international competitions until they reduce their blood testosterone to a specific level for at least six months and maintain it at that level during their athletic career.
That means athletes with circulating testosterone of five nanomoles or more per liter of blood (5nmol/L) and who are androgen-sensitive must meet certain criteria if they want to compete internationally.
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The Swiss Federal Tribunal’s ruling against Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion in the 800-meters race, reversed an earlier decision by the same court that allowed her to compete without having to take testosterone-reducing medication.
“I am very disappointed to be kept from defending my hard-earned title,” Semenya said in a statement in reaction to the ruling.
“This will not deter me from continuing my fight for the human rights of all of the female athletes concerned.”
Semenya’s attorney said she planned to appeal to overturn the eligibility limitations placed on athletes who have sexual development disorders, according to the New York Times.
The IAAF hailed the decision to lock Semenya out of the World competitions saying “biology has to trump gender identity”.
