Caster Semenya claimed to be “finished” with athletics — then put her name down for Friday’s Diamond League 800m race in Doha.
South Africa's double Olympic 800m champion lost her appeal on Wednesday against regulations restricting testosterone levels in female runners.
As from next week, Semenya must take medication to reduce her levels if she wishes to continue to compete over her specialist distance - or move up to run the 5,000m, where the controversial rule does not apply.
The verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport was condemned as “disgraceful” by Athletics South Africa, who said CAS had “seen fit to open the wounds of apartheid”.
Springboks rugby players Tendai Mtawarira and JP Pietersen weighed in with their support on social media under the hashtag #WeAreCasterSemenya.
Who is Caster Semenya? Olympic champion profiled after losing controversial legal case
Semenya tweeted: “Knowing when to walk away is wisdom. Being able to is courage. Walking away with your head held high is dignity. That’s me and will always be. I’m finished.”
Her team declined to elaborate on her cryptic message, confirming only that she would be on the start line in Qatar on Friday, where she is set to take on Britain’s Lynsey Sharp.
IAAF boss Seb Coe said: “Athletics has two classifications: age and gender. We are fiercely protective about both and I’m really grateful CAS have upheld that principle.”
Coe spoke 24 hours after Toni Minichiello, British golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill's coach, voiced his concerns.
"To me it does look like they are targeting Semenya," he said. "I am uncomfortable that it seems to be a rule that affects such a small percentage of athletes as opposed to one that supports the whole of the sport.
“I don’t agree or disagree with Caster’s CAS ruling, but if that is athletics’ rule it should be across the board. Unless it permeates all women’s sport, it looks like your targeting a minority; it looks a bit personal.”
The World Medical Association last night advised physicians to take no part in implementing the new eligibility regulations.
Dr Leonid Eidelman, president of the international and independent body which represents physicians worldwide, said: “We have strong reservations about the ethical validity of these regulations.
“They are based on weak evidence from a single study which is currently being debated by the scientific community.
“They are also contrary to a number of key WMA ethical statements and declarations, and as such we are calling for their immediate withdrawal.”
