South Africa - Athletics body to challenge Semenya ban
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) - Athletics South Africa (ASA) has confirmed that it has lodged an appeal to Switzerland's Federal Court following the ban on Olympic champion Caster Semenya.
This was after the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) rejected Semenya's challenge against measures imposed by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) that compel ‘hyperandrogenic’ athletes to lower their testosterone levels if they wish to compete as women.
The IAAF argued that athletes like Semenya had an unfair advantage over others.
Three judges at the CAS ruled that "on the basis of the evidence submitted by the parties, such discrimination was a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF's aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the Restricted Events".
The case has provoked a global debate about gender and "hyperandrogenic" athletes and the World Medical Association has urged doctors not to enforce the rules.
Athletics South Africa has instructed its Swiss lawyers to inform the president of the Swiss Federal Court of its intentions to appeal the decision of the Court of Arbitration announced on 30 April.
Semenya hopes to defend her 800m world title at the IAAF World Championships in Doha in September.
-0- PANA CU/RA 2June2019
