Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya has decided to end her lengthy legal battle against sex eligibility regulations in track and field after achieving a favorable ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in July. Despite the option to appeal to the Swiss supreme court following the European ruling, Semenya’s legal team, led by lawyer Patrick Bracher, confirmed they will not pursue further action.
Bracher stated in an email to The Associated Press that Semenya’s case had reached the highest court with a successful outcome and would not be escalated any further under the current circumstances.
Semenya, a renowned 800-meter runner from South Africa, has faced restrictions on participating in her signature event at major competitions since 2019 due to her refusal to comply with regulations mandating hormone level reductions. Her legal challenges against World Athletics’ rules have taken her through three courts, culminating in the European Court of Human Rights’ recent decision.
Having dominated middle-distance running with an undefeated streak of over 30 races before being sidelined, Semenya, now 34, has transitioned to coaching following the regulatory barriers that effectively ended her competitive career.
Identified with differences in sex development (DSD), Semenya has been at the center of a contentious debate over testosterone levels in female athletes. While she possesses male XY chromosomes alongside female physical traits and elevated testosterone levels, Semenya’s case is distinct from transgender issues as she has always identified as female.
World Athletics contends that Semenya and a small group of DSD athletes have testosterone levels giving them an unfair advantage in competition. The ongoing dispute over the impact of testosterone on performance has been a key aspect of Semenya’s legal battles.
Track and field regulations targeting athletes with high natural testosterone, initially introduced in 2011 in response to Semenya’s dominance, have become more stringent over time. The latest amendment shifts from monitoring testosterone to requiring genetic testing for the presence of a Y chromosome for female athletes competing internationally.
Bracher highlighted that the current rules significantly differ from those challenged by Semenya years ago. However, Semenya’s recent legal success could potentially serve as a precedent for future challenges against the existing regulations by other athletes.
While Semenya’s case has been a focal point in the debate over sex eligibility in track and field, sports like swimming have also implemented restrictions on athletes with DSD conditions. The influence of Semenya’s case has extended to other sports, prompting them to consider their own policies.
Recent controversies in boxing, particularly at the Paris Olympics, involving genetic sex testing for athletes like Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting have further underscored the broader impact of sex eligibility regulations in sports beyond track and field.
