This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On July 30, 2019, a Swiss judge made a ruling that would have significant implications for South African athlete Caster Semenya. The judge overruled a temporary suspension on the International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) controversial testosterone-curbing rules, which Semenya's representatives said would prevent her from defending her world 800m title in Doha in September.
The World Championships are scheduled to take place between September 28 and October 6 in the Qatari capital. Semenya, a 28-year-old two-time Olympic gold medallist, had been competing in events between the 400m and mile, but the new ruling means she can no longer do so.
"I am very disappointed to be kept from defending my hard-earned title, but this will not deter me from continuing my fight for the human rights of all of the female athletes concerned," Semenya said in a statement.
According to Semenya's representatives, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court had made a "procedural decision" that had no impact on the appeal itself. They added that the court had emphasized the strict requirements and high thresholds for the interim suspension of Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) awards and found that these were not fulfilled.
"We will continue to pursue Caster's appeal and fight for her fundamental human rights. A race is always decided at the finish line," said Dorothee Schramm, the lawyer leading Semenya's appeal.
