Caster Semenya wins discrimination case

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights [ECHR] has ruled in favour of two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya.

The Limpopo-born won a partial victory at the ECHR in her long legal battle over athletics’ sex eligibility rules.

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The court has upheld the 2023 decision by a Swiss court, saying they did not give the Limpopo-born runner a fair trial over whether she should lower her testosterone levels to compete as a woman.

Semenya, who is classed as having differences in sexual development [DSD] has been unable to compete in her favoured 800m category since 2018, after she refused to take drugs to reduce her testosterone levels following World Athletics introducing new rules on women competitors.

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The 34-year-old believes World Athletics has shown discrimination against athletes with DSD by insisting they reduce testosterone levels in order to be eligible.

However, the Athletics’ governing body insists that the rules are necessary to ensure fair competition and to protect the female category.

Semenya said the outcome was great for her and for athletes after leaving the court in Strasbourg, France on Thursday.

“This is a reminder to the leaders [that] athletes need to be protected,” said Semenya from Moletjie.

“Before we can regulate we have to respect athletes and put their rights first.”

Decisions made by the ECHR’s Grand Chamber are not open to appeal. Her case should now go back to the Swiss federal court in Lausanne.