'I'm a die-hard, that's a fact': Caster Semenya
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Image: Caster Semenya via Twitter
The panel of three judges who ruled that Caster Semenya would have to take medication to manage her testosterone levels admitted that the regulations were discriminatory. However, it said they were “a necessary, reasonable and proportionate means of achieving the IAAF’s (International Association of Athletics Federations) aim of preserving the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events".
In response, Semenya said she believed the regulations targeted her specifically.
"For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back."
In a statement released by her legal team, Semenya said she was pleased the judges had admitted that the IAAF's regulations were "discriminatory against certain women".
Semenya fought proposed rules by the IAAF to compel athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) to lower their testosterone levels if they wanted to compete as women.
On social media, Semenya has stood firm.
monate mpolaye.😂
— Caster Semenya (@caster800m) May 1, 2019
My vibes are so cool.
Call me Stefano dimera if you want to. I'm a die hard that's a fact..🐍
It's believed her legal team is reviewing the decision and has 30 days to appeal. This will then be heard by the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/FHmm10npfx
— Caster Semenya (@caster800m) May 1, 2019
The news stirred emotions on social media, with many taking to Twitter to speak up against discrimination, wish Semenya well and offer support:
They will never pull you down, we are always behind you as the nation. #CasterSemenya
— Lwando Roji (@Lwandoroji) May 2, 2019
We need to speak louder about how a black woman is now forced to "tone down" her natural ability because the world is tired of her winning...#CasterSemenya
— honey by raveena 🍯🎶🍃 (@Mo__theo) May 2, 2019
hormones aren’t binary!!!!! justice for #CasterSemenya and all women who are forced to abandon their passion for sports because of these violent, colonial and misogynistic standards of gender stipulations being put forth by the racist IAAF !!! justice for trans and intersex 1/2
— teddy (@tedtalx) May 2, 2019
Black women scare them, keep on #CasterSemenya
— Bileh (@BilehJelan) May 2, 2019
Words from me to @caster800m #CasterSemenya pic.twitter.com/A8uGTNmNGP
— Malume please (@Adverttown) May 2, 2019
I wish top athletes would protest at the next IAAF event, refuse to compete, in support of #CasterSemenya
— Sebenzile Nkambule (@SebeNkambule) May 2, 2019
So now Caster Semenya has to take performance hindering drugs to compete because she was winning too much. What a farce. #CasterSemenya
— Kirkosaurus (@kirk_osaurus) May 2, 2019
If you are really concerned about an equal playing field in elite sports then you should focus on issues such as financial disadvantage and unequal opportunity that exist globally and prevent worthy people from competing on the world stage. #CasterSemenya
— Lee Constable (@Constababble) May 2, 2019
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Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.