Friday, March 29, 2024

Anger as Semenya loses testosterone rules case

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Isaac Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

There is anger among South Africans and many Africans after Olympic 800-metres champion Caster Semenya lost her appeal against rules meant to suppress her testosterone through medication.

The ruling means all female athletes with high natural levels of testosterone must take medication to reduce it in order to compete.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) gave the ruling on Wednesday in which it stated that the regulations were necessary for athletes with different sexual development (DSDs) status.

That will ensure that such athletes competition fairly with others. In reaction to the ruling, Semenya said in a statement released via her lawyers that “I know that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically.”

“For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back,” she added in the statement.

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She also said “I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world.”

Caster Semenya’s silent reaction

But on social media he posted a message that sort to remain silent over the ruling.


Meanwhile Semenya’s lawyers say they are considering appealing the ruling.

But the IAAF welcomed the verdict. It said it was “pleased that the regulations were found to be a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s legitimate aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events.”

Anger in South Africa

In South Africa, the country’s governing party, ANC says described as appalling that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas)’s ruling.

It said in a statement that “It is rather disheartening to learn that the court has ruled against Caster Semenya in her fight to be treated equally and without prejudice.”

The statement also said that “The ANC has always appreciated the role of sport as a unifier that traverses the racial, ethnic, religious, gender and class divide.”

“Yet today we witness the IAAF, a body meant to be the custodian of the values for athletics, acting in a prejudicial manner that divides rather than unites athletes,” it added.

On social media many Africans were not happy with the court’s ruling.

 

Source: Africafeeds.com

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