South African athlete Caster Semenya has filed the a case before Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging proposed rules requiring those with ‘ men’ like hormones to lower them.
Semenya, an Olympic 800 meters champion is seeking to reverse the rules which target testosterone levels during sports.
According to the rules, Semenya ought to level them with those of women. Testosterone helps a person maintain energy during sports , with men having higher levels than women.
The case filed before the court in Lausanne will be the changing gear to the 800 meters race record holder’s 28 -year -old career.
The controversial measures would force “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “differences of sexual development” (DSD) to take drugs to lower their testosterone level if they want to compete.
Hyperandrogenism, also known as androgen excess, is a medical condition characterized by excessive levels of androgens (male sex hormones such as testosterone) in the female body and the associated effects of the elevated androgen levels.
The rules were to to take effect last year November but the sports court put them in . A judgement is expected at the end of March.
IAAF President Sebastian Coe, arriving at the court, said: “Today is a very, very important day.
“The regulations that we are introducing are there to protect the sanctity of fair and open competition.”
The chief advocate for Athletics South Africa, Norman Arendse, said Semenya would give evidence.
“The whole week is going to be important. Obviously the evidence will be evaluated and assessed at the end of the process this week. so today this is the start,” he told reporters.
The court is set to hear the case throughout this week.
