Two-time Olympic champion, Caster Semenya has lost her legal battle against the introduction of new rules regulating the testosterone levels for athletes with a difference in sex development (DSD).
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CSA) panel of three judges gave a complex verdict and “dismissed both requests for arbitration” from Semenya and the governing body of track and field.
The judges ruled 2-1 that “on the basis of the evidence submitted by the parties, such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the Restricted Events.”
The IAAF believes female runners with high testosterone levels have an unfair advantage in events from 400m to the mile.
Athletics’ governing body’s new regulations will now require any athlete with a naturally high level of testosterone who wishes to compete in international track and field events from 400 meters to the mile to reduce their testosterone levels, should they want to continue competing as women.
“Sometimes it’s better to react with no reaction,” tweeted Semenya after the verdict was announced.