byLarry EderThe Caster Semenya imbroglio has many sides, and many layers. It became much more complicated on June 3, when the Swiss courts ruled in Ms. Semenya’s favor, and until June 25, Caster may run any distance she desires up to June 25.
The issue with Caster Semenya vs IAAF is an absolute cluster. One feels for Caster Semenya, who has been mistreated by ignorant people for most of her career. One understands, also, that the IAAF and many others feel that women’s races must be protected. But how does one respond to Caster Semenya, whose most intimate life details are on media across the world, and who declares that she is a woman and believes in the advancement of women’s sports?
And there is nationalism. All of South Africa, much of the African continent and many in the LBGTQ community see Caster Semenya as the flag bearer of the movement.
Caster Semenya, Photo By PhotoRun.net
Sean Ingle, the columnist from the Guardian UK, wrote the following piece on the Swiss court ruling. The article below gives you a strong picture of what is on the line.
(Also, we added the London 2017 presser of 800m with Caster Semenya speaking on her race and the upcoming struggles: https://youtu.be/hjLsqeLb594)
Caster Semenya able to run medication-free for now as Swiss court floors IAAF
• Swiss court tells IAAF to suspend testosterone regulations
• Semenya can compete in 800m without medication to 25 June
Caster Semenya takes the Pre Classic 800m, photo by PhotoRun.net
Caster Semenya and other DSD athletes can compete in distances ranging from 400m to a mile without medication until at least 25 June.
Caster Semenya is once again free to run the 800m without having to take medication – at least for the time being – after the Swiss supreme federal court ordered the IAAF to suspend its testosterone regulations for her with immediate effect.
The surprise news – which completely blindsided athletics’ governing body – means that the Olympic champion can compete in distances ranging from 400m to a mile without medication until at least 25 June. However, for now it applies only to the South African and not other athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD).
Semenya’s lawyer, Greg Nott, who hailed the decision as “morally uplifting and so good for Caster”, revealed that his team had asked for the suspension when they appealed against the court of arbitration for sport’s ruling in Semenya’s case last week.
To read the complete story from the Guardian UK’s Sean Ingle, please click here: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/03/caster-semenya-800m-swiss-supreme-court-ruling-iaaf
