Caster Semenya Wins Appeal Against Testosterone Regulations At the European Court of Human Rights
Caster Semenya Wins Appeal Against Testosterone Regulations At the European Court of Human Rights. “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” — Leo Tolstoy. Caster Semenya used both tools, and now she came out victorious. In September 2020, the double Olympic gold medalist, failed in her bid to be allowed to run the 800m without having to take medication that reduce naturally high levels of testosterone.
She has then been unable to compete at her favored distance since 2019, following the introduction of limits on testosterone levels for female athletes. Since then, Caster has been fighting against rules which regulates levels of the hormone in female athletes. For the longest time, it felt like a losing battle.
A Swiss federal tribunal said that it supported a decision by the court of arbitration for sport in 2021 that track and field’s policy for athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) was “necessary, reasonable and proportionate” to ensure fair competition in women’s sport.
This meant that, for Caster to defend her Olympic title she has to take medication to reduce testosterone. Her fans all over the world were saddened by the decision. Being the positive person she is, Caster let her fans know that, based on her achievements, the battle has been won long ago. She added that doors might be closed, but definitely not locked.
Indeed, the doors were not locked, as Caster has come out victorious on her battle. The European Court of Human Rights found Switzerland had not afforded Caster sufficient institutional and procedural safeguards to allow her to have her complaints examined effectively.
“The high stakes involved for Semenya should have led to a thorough institutional and procedural review, the court said.
