The European Court of Human Rights ends the Caster Semenya debates

The debate over the gender of Caster Semenya, who won the 800m gold medal at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin, had begun.

Caster Semenya, whose body secretes high levels of testosterone due to an unusual genetic difference called hyperandrogenism, has been unable to participate in international competition for five years following the rule issued by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) in 2018.

According to the rule, female athletes with high testosterone levels would only be allowed to race between 400 and 1,600 meters if they used hormone-lowering drugs. The South African athlete, on the other hand, refused to use the drugs in question, claiming that they threatened his health.

ECHR GIVES DECISION

Caster Semenya, who went to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in response to the IAAF’s decision, lost the case demanding drug-free competition. Both objections made by Caster Semenya, who took the case to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, were rejected. The 32-year-old athlete, who did not give up his fight, went to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Caster Semenya’s claim before the ECtHR was resolved on the grounds that his personal rights were violated and he was unable to continue his sports career. The ECtHR found the CAS flawed as it did not allow Caster Semenya to discuss the issue of “discrimination based on gender and sexual characteristics”.

IT WAS THE TOPIC OF THE DISCUSSION

The decision made by the IAAF was seen as gender discrimination by many circles and became the subject of discussion.

Caster Semenya, who appealed to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, was prevented from competing at the 2019 World Championships in Athletics held in Doha, due to the re-enactment of the IAAF decision, which was suspended for a while while the process appeal was in progress.

Caster Semenya, who last participated in the World Championships held in London in 2017, placed 3rd in the 1500m and 1st in the 800m. Caster Semenya, who has been unable to run Olympic and World Championships since that championship, was found right after her long fight.