Caster Semenya loses as court bars women with high testosterone from some track races

Caster Semenya, South African 800m Olympic champion, has lost her landmark legal case against the introduction of new rules regulating the testosterone levels for athletes with a difference in sex development (DSD).

The is after the highest court in international sports issued a ruling that will compel female track athletes with elevated levels of testosterone to take suppressants before they can compete in certain women’s races at major international events like the Olympics.

The new rule was initiated by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The gold medalist had met the court to challenge the proposed limits placed on female athletes with naturally elevated levels of the muscle-building hormone testosterone.

But the court of arbitration for sport (CAS), on Wednesday, rejected Semenya’s appeal against the IAAF rules.

The three judge panel held that the rules targeting athletes with differences in DSD were “discriminatory” but that “such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics”.

The surprise ruling means Semenya will have to take medication to reduce her testosterone if she would like to participate in any international events between 400m and a mile.

Reacting to the verdict, the Olympic champion, in a statement through her lawyers, said: “I know that the I.A.A.F.’s regulations have always targeted me specifically. For a decade the I.A.A.F. has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger.”

“The decision of the C.A.S. will not hold me back. I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world,” the statement added.

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. It belongs to a class of male hormones called androgens. But women also have testosterone.

The qualities of confidence, ambition, and strength are closely associated with high testosterone levels. It can enhance your tolerance for stress, helps alleviate fatigue, has mood brightening effects, and improves body composition (reduced fat/increased muscle).