Caster Semenya Q&A: Who is she and why is her case important?

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Caster Semenya: A Champion’s Battle for Inclusion in Athletics

Caster Semenya, a name synonymous with athletic excellence, found herself at the center of a contentious debate when she failed to secure a spot in the 5000m final at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon. The reason? She had shifted from the 800m, a discipline where she had previously dominated, to evade the stringent restrictions imposed on athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) in shorter events. But who is Caster Semenya, and why has her case become so significant in the world of sports?

For the first time in years, Semenya decided to open up about her experiences as a world-renowned elite athlete born with DSD. She embarked on a series of media appearances in the UK to promote her new autobiography, shedding light on her childhood, early career, and the ongoing battle with athletic governing bodies over rules preventing her and fellow DSD athletes with elevated testosterone levels from competing in elite women’s races.

Semenya asserts that her “human rights” have been violated, while World Athletics, the international governing body of the sport, argues that “fairness and the integrity of female competition” must take precedence over inclusion.

Caster Semenya: A Remarkable Journey

Caster Semenya’s journey in the world of athletics is nothing short of extraordinary. A two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion in the 800m, she ruled her sport from 2009 to 2019. Her 30th consecutive victory over the distance in the Doha Diamond League in May 2019 stands as a testament to her dominance. Her success was met with an ecstatic welcome in South Africa, where fans thronged Johannesburg airport to celebrate her first World Championship gold in 2009.

However, Semenya’s meteoric rise came with its share of scrutiny regarding her gender and potential biological advantages. It was later revealed that the 32-year-old athlete was born with DSD, leading to elevated testosterone levels, a hormone that can enhance muscle mass and strength.

The Unveiling of Semenya’s DSD

The public first learned of Semenya’s DSD when she triumphed at the 2009 Berlin World Championships. Her victory came shortly after the announcement by World Athletics, then known as the International Association of Athletics Federations, that they had requested a gender test for the teenager. This public disclosure was described as “humiliating” by Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene. The organization’s general secretary at the time, Pierre Weiss, even mentioned the possibility of withdrawing Semenya’s 2009 world title if the investigation proved she was not a female.

Semenya was eventually cleared to return to athletics nearly a year later, although the results were not made public. Nevertheless, media leaks indicated that she displayed both male and female characteristics. Over a decade later, Semenya disclosed in her autobiography that she discovered, along with the rest of the world, that she lacked a uterus or fallopian tubes. She revealed that the newspapers reported she had undescended testicles, which were believed to be the source of her elevated testosterone levels.

The Battle Over Testosterone Regulations

In 2018, World Athletics introduced new rules aimed at restricting testosterone levels in female runners participating in track events ranging from 400m to the mile. Dr. Stephane Bermon from the governing body’s medical and science department cited research that showed “7.1 in every 1,000 elite female athletes in our sport have elevated testosterone levels.” He argued that “the majority are in the restricted events covered by these regulations,” a rate approximately 140 times higher than in the general female population.

However, Semenya contended that these regulations specifically targeted her. Lord Coe, president of World Athletics, countered this claim, emphasizing that athletics had two classifications: age and gender, and they were determined to protect both.

Semenya appealed the proposal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland but ultimately lost the landmark case in 2019. Despite a temporary suspension of the CAS ruling by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, the decision was eventually reversed, allowing World Athletics’ new rules to take effect.

A Legal Battle for Justice

In September 2020, Switzerland’s top court rejected another appeal by Semenya. This event marked the beginning of a legal battle that continued into 2021 when Semenya lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Her team argued that the Swiss government, through its Supreme Court, had failed to protect her rights by not overturning the CAS ruling.

In a significant development, the ECHR ruled in Semenya’s favor in July 2023. However, the Swiss government requested that the case be referred to the court’s Grand Chamber for a final ruling. Unfortunately, since the case revolves around the Swiss government rather than the athletic governing body, it is unlikely to impact the current restrictions on DSD athletes. Semenya and others with elevated testosterone levels still face the requirement of taking testosterone-reducing medication to compete in female track events.

The Impact of DSD in Athletics

The debate over DSD in athletics is far from settled. Research commissioned by World Athletics in 2017 indicated that female athletes with elevated testosterone levels had a competitive advantage, potentially leading to a 3% improvement in their performance. However, Semenya and her team contested these findings, arguing that it was unclear how much DSD athletes truly benefited from their natural testosterone levels.

Semenya, in her own words, expressed that she felt no physical difference that made her akin to a man. She emphasized that all women train to excel, and if having an advantage was the case, why didn’t she achieve times similar to male athletes?

World Athletics remains steadfast in defending its restrictions, stating that they are necessary to protect the integrity of the female category.

Current Rules in Athletics

In March 2023, World Athletics expanded its restrictions on DSD athletes to encompass all female track and field events, extending beyond the previous limits of 400m to the mile. Under these new rules, DSD athletes must lower their blood testosterone levels to below 2.5 nanomoles per litre and maintain this threshold for two years to compete internationally in the female category. For existing DSD athletes in unrestricted events, interim provisions require them to suppress their testosterone levels below 2.5nmol/L for a minimum of six months before they can return to competition.

The Future for Semenya and Others

As Semenya shifts her focus away from the track, she is determined to fight what she sees as injustices in the sport. Her future endeavors are aimed at promoting inclusivity and diversity, ensuring that every young girl is treated fairly.

Semenya is not alone in her struggle. Other female athletes with DSD, including Francine Niyonsaba and Margaret Nyairera Wambui, have faced similar challenges. Prominent sprinters like Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi have also been affected by World Athletics’ expanded restrictions. While they were forced to miss the World Athletics Championships in Budapest due to the new rules, Lord Coe stated that they could compete in future international races if they maintained their testosterone levels at the required level, possibly including the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The case of Caster Semenya continues to be

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Inclusion

More about Inclusion

• Caster Semenya’s Official Profile
• World Athletics’ Testosterone Regulations
• European Court of Human Rights Ruling
• BBC Sport Coverage of Caster Semenya’s Case