“I am very disappointed by this ruling, but refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am” – Castor Semenya
The two-time Olympic 800m champion, Castor Semenya, has lost her legal appeal against track and field rules that limit female runners’ naturally high testosterone levels, it was announced Tuesday.
ISTAF 75 Internationales Stadionfest Berlin
Olympiastadion Berlin
800 m Damen
Caster SEMENYA RSA
Foto Camera 4
Under World Athletics guidelines introduced in 2019, Semenya would have to take testosterone-reducing drugs in order to compete in races from 400m to a mile, which the 29-year-old has chosen not to do.
The 71-page ruling means Semenya cannot defend her Olympic 800-metre title at the Tokyo Games next year, unless she changes her mind and agrees to lower her testosterone level through medication or surgery.
“Chills my people, a man can change the rules but the very same man cannot rule my life. What I’m saying is that I might have failed against them (but) the truth is that I have won this battle long ago. Go back to my achievements then you will understand. Doors might be closed (but) not locked.” – Semenya wrote on Twitter after the ruling was announced.
In a statement released by her lawyers, Semenya stated:
