“I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision; I hope that following my appeal, I will once again be able to run free.”
Johannesburg, South Africa – Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court has temporarily blocked a rule that kept track star Caster Semenya from competing, saying she should be allowed to race while her appeal proceeds.
The Swiss court ruled Monday that Semenya, an Olympic and world champion in the 800 meters, should be allowed to “compete without restriction in the female category” during her appeal.
“The court today ordered the IAAF to suspend immediately the implementation of the regulation with regard to Caster and has given the IAAF until the 25th of June to respond to the suspense of effect,” said Greg Nott, Semenya’s lawyer.
Semenya reacted with a Tweet saying “Born a winner,” and an image with the quote: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
“I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision; I hope that following my appeal, I will once again be able to run free.”
In April 2018, the IAAF announced new rules that required hyperandrogenous athletes to take medication to lower their testosterone levels, effective beginning in November 2018. Due to the narrow scope of the changes, which apply to only those athletes competing in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m, many people thought the rule change was designed specifically to target Semenya.
On 19 June 2018, Semenya announced that she would legally challenge the “unfair” IAAF rules, and her legal hearing began on 18 February 2019. On 1 May 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her challenge, paving the way for the new rules to come into effect on 8 May 2019
This decision could end her career if she wishes not to comply with the required hormonal treatments that would reduce her testosterone levels and make her eligible to compete in her favoured categories, being the 400m and 800m.
But South Africans, as well as global athletes, have stood behind the golden girl, proving that no matter the outcome Caster will always have the support of her fans.
The South Africa Minister of Sports, Tokozile Xasa has come out in support of Caster Semenya too. The minister had instructed Athletics South Africa to appeal against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that would force Caster to undergo hormone treatment.
“The Minister has also directed that the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa should work with other organs of State to intensify the international lobby and to approach the United Nations General Assembly to sanction the IAAF for violating International Human Rights Instruments. The Government will also have to mobilise and educate society on the key arguments and tenets of the case. To this end, government will make available information to the public and also develop online information instruments to empower the public on this key matter.
The Minister was also pleased with the commitment by ASA to lobby other National Athletics Associations in other jurisdictions to sign a petition, petitioning the IAAF to rescind the regulations and to lobby against the current executive of the IAAF.
Minister Xasa has also expressed her gratitude to the people of South Africa and the World at large for their continued support for Caster Semenya in the face of this unwarranted affront. She once more thanked various sectors including human rights bodies, media, medical science fraternity, sport bodies & sport personalities, the international bodies and the sports law experts, for their insights and unwavering support.”
It makes our hearts so warm to see that the fight isn’t over and to see so many people standing strong behind our Golden Girl!
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