CAS Rules Against Semenya Testosterone Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled against an appeal in which South African athlete Caster Semenya challenged new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules on testosterone levels for female athletes.   

The new rules require athletes with a certain level of testosterone to have treatment to lower their levels in order to compete in the women’s category.

While the CAS Panel considering the matter agree that the regulations are discriminatory, the majority determined that “such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the Restricted Events.” 

With the introduction of the regulations upheld affected athletes seeking to compete at the upcoming World Championships in Doha this September are required to begin taking medication to meet the 3nmol/L limit for testosterone in the next week. For future competitions the requirement will be for athletes to begin treatment six months in advance. 

Semenya is a two time Olympic champion, winning gold in the women’s 800 metre events at the 2012 and 2016 summer Olympics, as well as the 2009 and 2017 World Championships.

Blessing Mwangi