Swiss Court Orders IAAF To Suspend Testosterone Regulations

The Swiss Supreme Federal Court has ordered the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to suspend regulations limiting testosterone levels among female runners with regards to South African 800m champion Caster Semenya. 

The development means that Semenya will be free to participate in events up until at least June 25 as she appeals the regulations in the courts.

Last month the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled against an appeal in which Semenya challenged the new rules that require athletes with a certain level of testosterone to have treatment to lower their levels in order to compete in the women’s category.

While the CAS Panel considering the matter agreed that the regulations are discriminatory, the majority determined that “such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the Restricted Events.”

With the introduction of the regulations upheld affected athletes seeking to compete at the upcoming World Championships in Doha this September are required to medicate to meet the 3nmol/L limit for testosterone. For future competitions the requirement will be for athletes to begin treatment six months in advance.

Semenya is a two time Olympic champion, winning gold in the women’s 800 metre events at the 2012 and 2016 summer Olympics, as well as the 2009 and 2017 World Championships.