Caster Semenya loses appeal against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Caster Semenya loses appeal against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners

8 September 2020 | Athletics

Caster Semenya has lost her appeal to Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners.

Semenya is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs, following a 2019 rule change by governing body World Athletics.

"I am very disappointed," the 29-year-old South African said.

"I refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am."

Athletics' governing body brought in a rule that athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) must either take medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile, or change to another distance.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/54079837


Caster Semenya has won the Olympic 800m title twice and the world title three times (Getty Images)

[pansypoo53219]

1. we have the special olympics, why not add 'other' olympics.

[janterry]

2. All 3 Winners in that race have DSD

francine niyonsaba
margaret wambui
and caster semenya

It shows how unfair the race really was.

Caster is apparently dx with 5-ARD
(from wikipedia)
5-alpha-reductase deficiency (5ARD). It is caused by a shortage early in life of an enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. DHT is required for the development of external male genitalia. Therefore, in this condition, a person with male (XY) chromosomes has a body that appears female before puberty. After puberty begins, other testosterone-activating enzymes become available and the body soon takes on a masculine appearance, with the scrotum and penis usually reaching typical or nearly-typical size.