Caster Semenya has hinted she might be ready to end any further legal fight after losing her case with the IAAF at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday.
CAS’s panel of three judges ruled by a verdict of two to one in favour of the IAAF meaning that Semenya will have to take testosterone suppressants if she wants to continue competing over 800metres and 1500m.
Athletics South Africa said they were considering taking the matter to the Swiss Federal Tribunal — they and Semenya have 30 days from yesterday’s ruling to do so — or they could jointly appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
But Semenya hinted on social media towards an end to her legal battles. She posted a picture with the words, “knowing when to talk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage. Walking away with your head held high is dignity.” Were she to take medication to bring down her testosterone levels, under IAAF rules she would have to begin doing so from May 8 to continue in international level competitions.
That would mean that Fiday’s Diamond League meeting in Doha, at the stadium which will host the World Championships from late September, would be her last chance to compete before that deadline. This morning, it was confirmed she would take part in the 800m.
There was sympathy for Semenya from sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, who begins her outdoor season in Doha tomorrow. The Briton said: “I’m not a lawyer or a scientist so I don’t feel like I have an informed opinion on it but Caster is my friend so I hope she’s going to be okay.”
Meanwhile, IAAF president Seb Coe (below) welcomed the CAS ruling but was relatively muted in his response.
“I think this is pretty straightforward for an international federation,” he said. “Athletics has two classifications: it has age and gender.
“We are fiercely protective of both and I’m really grateful that the Court of Arbitration has upheld that principle. That’s as much as I really feel to say on this subject.”
