Caster Semenya Launches New Legal Challenge to IAAF Rules Governing DSD Athletes

By Adam Kopet

Caster Semenya has appealed the decision of the Court for Arbitration of Sport (CAS) upholding the IAAF's new rules governing athletes with differences of sex development (DSD) to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, according to Dan Roan of the BBC.

Breaking: Caster Semenya has filed an appeal to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland challenging the recent ruling against her by CAS in favour of the IAAF which “condones their requirements for unnecessary and unwanted hormonal drug interventions on female athletes” pic.twitter.com/OcHkG4H5ao

— Dan Roan (@danroan) May 29, 2019

CAS announced their decision four weeks ago. The result was the IAAF can require athletes competing in events between 400 meters and the mile to artificially lower natural testosterone to within certain limits to continue competing in those events. The rule is designed to specifically deal with athletes with DSD.

Semenya is a two-time Olympic champion over 800 meters. Her personal best of 1:54.25, set last year, ranks her fourth on the all-time performer list. She also has posted strong marks of 49.62 for 400 meters and 3:59.92 for 1,500 meters.

With the new rule in effect, Semenya has made moves to compete in longer events outside the scope of the IAAF rule. She is set to race over 2,000 meters in France next month. She is also scheduled to race the 3,000 meters at the Prefontaine Classic.

Semenya is the reigning world outdoor champion at 800 meters. When CAS ruled in favor of the IAAF on Semenya's appeal, she remained determined and announced she still planned to defend her world title in Doha this fall.

There is currently no timeline on Semenya's appeal to the Swiss court.