Semenya Verdict Explained: The Rules, the Evidence, the Road Ahead

Why Semenya is being forced to medically reduce the levels of testosterone in her body if she wants to compete.

Caster Semenya needs to medically reduce the levels of testosterone in her body in order to compete.

(Photo: IANS)

In one of the most ethically and scientifically challenging cases in modern sports law, two-time Olympic champion Caster Semenya lost her appeal of a rule that requires women to medically reduce their natural levels of testosterone in order to compete in certain track events.

Here is a look at the case that sports' highest court acknowledged in its 2-1 ruling Wednesday was discriminatory, but said the discrimination is "necessary, reasonable and proportionate" to maintain fairness in women's track:

The Rules

In April 2018, the governing body of track and field published eligibility rules in its races for women runners with "differences of sex development (DSD)."

Those women must reduce their testosterone to comply with IAAF rules for at least six continuous months before competing at top-level events.

The rules apply only to "conditions where the affected individual has XY chromosomes" — male chromosomes — it was explained Wednesday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Those athletes "have testosterone levels well into the male range."

The IAAF has said the rules "exist solely to ensure fair and meaningful competition," and not to judge or question any athlete's sex or gender identity.

Put on hold by Semenya's appeal, those rules now take effect next Wednesday.

The IAAF's first attempt to address the issue in 2011 was rejected by a previous Court of Arbitration for Sport panel in 2015. That ruling challenged the IAAF to produce better evidence because it had not proven that hyperandrogenic women — women with excessive amounts of male hormones — gained a significant advantage.

Semenya’s Defense

Semenya's lawyers argued that "her genetic gift should be celebrated, not discriminated against."

Although testosterone — a hormone that strengthens muscle tone and bone mass — is a doping product if injected or ingested, no one has suggested Semenya’s natural physiology is a form of cheating.

Semenya's case was championed by United Nations human rights experts and women's sports activists, including Billie Jean King, who saw potential for abuse and discrimination against women.

South Africa's ruling African National Congress party linked Semenya's cause to the liberation struggle of Nelson Mandela and, on Wednesday, accused the IAAF of "acting in a prejudicial manner."

The Judges

The judges from Canada, Australia and Switzerland scrutinised evidence, including testimony from Semenya, over five days in February in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The nuanced verdict was detailed in a two-page court statement expressing concern about some evidence underpinning the rules and how they will now be applied.

The judges believe some women who choose treatment with medication will have difficulties staying within the limit and face bans for "unintentional non-compliance."

The IAAF said Wednesday it "will keep all practical matters of implementation under periodic review."

The Ruling

The judges' full 165-page verdict remains confidential, and contains sensitive medical information. A six-page executive summary published Wednesday clarified the judges' majority opinion without detailing the evidence.

The ruling derives from the premise that separate men’s and women’s races were created due to “insuperable performance advantages derived from biology.”

From there, "it follows that it may be legitimate to regulate the right to participate in the female category by reference to those biological factors rather than legal status alone."

The case appeared as if it would likely sway on scientific evidence rather than a concept of fairness, and one expert witness called by Semenya's team questioned the data.

What we found was that there were a number of data errors in that paper to the point that we felt that the data couldn’t be trusted. We were very skeptical about some of the methods used to collect the data in the paper and also how it was analysed statistically. 

Ross Tucker, South African academic & Semenya’s witness

Medalist in the women’s 800 meters, from left, Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, silver, South Africa’s Caster Semenya, gold, and Kenya’s Margaret Wambui, bronze, at the Rio Olympics, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. (Photo: AP)

Is Only Semenya Affected?

No. Semenya's closest rival Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi, who won silver medals behind Semenya in the 800 meters at the 2016 Olympics and 2017 world championships, revealed recently that too had hyperandrogenism. Echoing her rival’s argument, the 25-year-old termed the IAAF's stand as "discrimination."

"I know people talk, talk, talk about me," Niyonsaba said. "You can't stop people talking. I like to hear people talking. That is motivation.

"I didn't choose to be born like this. What am I? I'm created by god. So, (if) someone has more questions about it, maybe (they) can ask god. I love myself. I will still be Francine. I will not change."

Referring to the rule, Niyonsaba said: "For me, it's about discrimination. It doesn't make sense."

Previously, Semenya and Indian sprinter Dutee Chand were the only top athletes to say they had hyperandrogenism.

Dutee Chand, India’s national record-holder in the 100m event, has struggled in the past with her high levels of testosterone found in her blood.(Photo: AP)

Why Dutee Can Continue

Dutee Chand, India’s current 100m national record-holder has seen her share of hardships due to the high natural levels of testosterone found in her blood.

One of India’s biggest young talents, Dutee broke records at an early age and was slated to participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games when she was dropped from the contingent on the eve of her departure. The Athletics Federation of India did not allow her to compete in the Asian Games that year as well saying the medical condition ‘hyperandrogenism’ gave her an unfair advantage.

Dutee fought her battle and took her case to the CAS (Court of Arbitration in Sport) where the IAAF’s policy on hyperandrogenism was rejected due to lack of proof that the medical condition gave athletes an advantage.

The IAAF was given two years to back up their argument following which their new research showed that hyperandrogenism affected women competing in events between the 400m and the mile. Thus brining in Caster Semenya under its pervue but not Dutee, who runs only the 100m and the 200m events.

Medical Recourse

If Semenya chooses to medically reduce the testosterone level in her body, the two-time Olympic champion can do so by such means as birth control pills or prostate cancer drugs.

Hormone-blocking drugs however can increase the risk of blood clots, thinning bones, fractures and heart problems.

The IAAF rules require women to reduce their levels below 5 nanomoles per liter of blood. According to the IAAF, most females, including elite athletes, have levels of testosterone circulating naturally in their bodies of 0.12 to 1.79 nanomoles per liter, while men have levels that can be dozens or even hundreds of times higher — typically 7.7 to 29.4.

Semenya's level is considered private medical information and has not been disclosed.

Semenya’s Racing Future

The CAS judges paid tribute to "Ms. Semenya's grace and fortitude throughout this process."

She will potentially run her final international 800-meter race on Friday in Doha, Qatar, when the season-long Diamond League series opens.

If she wants to defend her 800-meter world title in September — also in Doha — she must begin medicating within days. The IAAF requires affected athletes to give a blood test by next Wednesday within the set limits.

With the world championships opening on Sept. 28, the IAAF said it will waive the 6-month compliance rule for that event.

Semenya can run without medication in the 5,000 meters — or possibly in the 1,500 if the IAAF follows the judges' guidance to defer applying the rules to that event. Semenya won a bronze medal in the 1,500 at the 2017 worlds in London.

There is no indication the IAAF will do that.

Can She Appeal?

Semenya and the South Africa track federation have 30 days to appeal to Switzerland's Supreme Court in Lausanne.

Federal judges rarely overturn CAS decisions but can intervene if it's determined the legal process was abused.

Semenya could request an interim federal ruling to freeze the CAS decision pending a full appeal.

With the IAAF rules under permanent review, other female athletes could one day challenge them.

"I can say this decision is certainly not the perfect one," CAS's Reeb said, "but is there a perfect decision in this situation?"

(With inputs from AP)