Olympics - Niger sprint star in middle of athletics' hormone debate

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Hailing from one of the world's poorest country, Nigerien sprinter Aminatou Seyni is no stranger to life's hurdles, but as she prepares for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the 23-year-old faces fresh obstacles.

Despite clocking the fifth-fastest time in the 400 metres last year, Seyni may not be able to compete in her favoured event because she refuses to take hormone suppressants for elevated testosterone levels.

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends a training session at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

In 2018, World Athletics, the sport's international governing body, imposed a testosterone cap for races between 400m and a mile, arguing that hyperandrogenous female athletes enjoy an unfair advantage at those distances.

The rule, which also affects the South African double Olympic 800 metres champion, Caster Semenya, will likely limit Seyni to the 200 metres in Tokyo.

"I feel a little bit sad because if I ran the 400 metres I could have won a medal, but for the 200 there are a lot of athletes that are better developed," said Seyni, wearing a pink windbreaker and blue leggings, as she took a break from training in Senegal's capital, Dakar.

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. .REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

Like Semenya, Seyni, who has a deep voice and powerful physique, refuses to take medication to reduce her testosterone levels.

Semenya said the treatment made her constantly sick when she took it earlier in her career and she is appealing a decision last year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upholding the World Athletics' rule.

Seyni was barred from competing in the 400m at November's world championships in Doha following a breakout season in which only two runners posted faster times.

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) walks with her assistant coach Amadoun Diouf after her training session in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

She reached the semi-finals in the 200 metres in Doha. She is also aiming to compete in the 100 metres at the Olympics.

Despite the disappointment of likely exclusion from the 400m in Tokyo, Seyni is determined to try for what would be only the second Olympic medal since 1972 for Niger, an arid West African country ranking last on the U.N. Human Development Index.

"I only want to concentrate on the 100 and 200 to see how it goes, because it's different," she said. "I'll do my best to see if I can win a medal."

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal, January 31, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

(Writing by Juliette Jabkhiro; Editing by Aaron Ross and Ken Ferris)

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) jokes with Senegal's athlete Fatou Gayein in Dakar, Senegal, February 3, 2020. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) jokes with Senegal's athlete Fatou Gaye, 23 during their training session at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. .REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) washes her shoes, at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) uses her laptop at her room at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) and Ndeye Amy Tall, 23, attend their training session at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal, January 31, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) carries a can with her shoes as she about to wash them at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Niger's Aminatou Seyni, 23, track and field sprinter with differences of sexual development (DSD) attends her training session in preparation for the Tokyo olympics 2020 games at the African Athletics Development centre in Dakar, Senegal February 3, 2020. REUTERS/ Zohra Bensemra