2019 IAAF World Championships

Semenya Cleared To Compete In 800m After Swiss Court Ruling

Semenya Cleared To Compete In 800m After Swiss Court Ruling

Caster Semenya is able to race the 800m, at least for the next three weeks, after a Swiss court suspended the IAAF's testosterone regulations.

Jun 3, 2019 by Kevin Sully
Semenya Cleared To Compete In 800m After Swiss Court Ruling

South African star Caster Semenya is cleared to compete in any distance she chooses after a Swiss Court suspended the IAAF ruling that prevented her from racing the 800m. 

“The court today ordered the IAAF to suspend immediately the implementation of the regulation with regard to Caster and has given the IAAF until the 25th of June to respond to the suspense of effect,” said Semenya’s lawyer Greg Nott to a South African radio station.

On May 1st, the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected Semenya’s appeal of the IAAF testosterone regulations. The decision prevented Semenya, and other DSD athletes, from competing in events from 400m to the mile unless they lowered their natural testosterone levels.

Semenya didn't race at last week's Stockholm Diamond League--the first Diamond League since the CAS judgment. Semenya has said she will not take medication to lower her testosterone levels. In order to comply with the regulations, she has planned races outside of the restricted distances with 2000m and 3000m competitions scheduled in the next month.  The next Diamond League women's 800m is on June 16th in Rabat, Morocco.