JOHANNESBURG, April (ANA) – The SA government on Friday expressed its disappointment and disgust at the new IAAF ruling passed which will require 800m world champion Caster Semenya to take testosterone-lowering medication.
SA sport and recreation minister Tokozile Xasa said the new ruling specifically targeted Semenya.
“This unfortunate and targeted decision is at best a witch-hunt against our athlete Caster Semenya and at worst, a decision to lessen the impact of mainly African athletes,” said Xasa.
“We are dismayed that Caster is being forced out of the 800m and 1 500m specialists events.
"I wish to express my disappointment that this decision is, in fact, a pronouncement against our own judgement to pick Caster as a core member of the South African athletics team. This diabolic decision is not only intended to appease aggrieved member countries who have failed to put their money where their mouths are, by winning medals, fairly and squarely.”
The new regulations require any athlete who has a Difference of Sexual Development (DSD) that means her levels of circulating testosterone (in serum) are five (5) nmol/L or above and who is androgen-sensitive to meet the following criteria to be eligible to compete in Restricted Events in an International Competition (or set a world record in a Restricted Event at competition that is not an International Competition):
(a) she must be recognised by law either as female or as intersex (or equivalent);
(b) she must reduce her blood testosterone level to below five (5) nmol/L for a continuous period of at least six months (eg., by use of hormonal contraceptives); and
(c) thereafter she must maintain her blood testosterone level below five (5) nmol/L continuously (ie: whether she is in competition or out of competition) for so long as she wishes to remain eligible.
These new regulations, approved by the IAAF Council in March, will come into effect from November 1, 2018, and replace the previous Regulations Governing Eligibility of Females with Hyperandrogenism to Compete in women's competition, which no longer apply anywhere in the sport.
“Secondly, we also call on all South Africans to stand firm in opposing these new rules that we view as designed to disadvantage our athletes from being competitive.
“We also urge all South African sporting codes to support our Caster and all other affected athletes.”
Xasa said the SA government planned to take legal action against the ruling.
“Together with all the role-players and stakeholders affected and impacted by this decision, we will study the basis of the report as we seek a possible review of the judgement and accordingly prepare our legal defences, to overturn this decision.”
- African News Agency (ANA)
