Ahead of next week’s landmark hearing against proposed rules that aim to restrict testosterone levels in female runners, the South African government has thrown its weight behind Olympic 800 metres champion Caster Semenya who is challenging athletics’ governing body
According to South Africa’s sports minister Tokozile Xasa ,Semenya has been ‘’targeted’’ and calls for a proposed IAAF rule on human rights violation.
“The world once declared apartheid a crime against human rights,” Tokozile Xasa said.
“We once more call the world to stand with us as we fight what we believe is a gross violation of human rights.”
Tokozile was speaking on Friday as she launched a campaign in support of hyperandrogenic athletes.
‘’What’s at stake here is far more than the right to participate in a sport. Women’s bodies, their wellbeing, their ability to earn a livelihood, their very identity, their privacy and sense of safety and belonging in the world, are being questioned.’’
The proposed IAAF rule would apply to women who race in track events from 400m up to the mile.
Under the ruling, female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels would have to race against men or change events unless they took medication to reduce it.
The rules were intended to be brought in on 1 November last year, but were delayed until 26 March after the legal challenge from Semenya and ASA.
The case will be heard from 18-22 February, with an outcome expected by 29 March.
