Olympic gold medalist Semenya wins testosterone case at European Court of Human Rights

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - South African 800-meter runner Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has won an appeal against track and field’s testosterone rules at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Semenya hailed Tuesday’s decision for ending “discriminatory” testosterone limits imposed on female athletes.

"I am elated at the outcome of the ruling," she said in a statement. "I have and will always stand up for discrimination of any kind in sports."

The ECHR said there had been a “violation of the prohibition of discrimination taken together with the right to respect for private life as well as a violation of the right to an effective remedy.”

Semenya had complained about certain regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federations requiring her to take hormone treatment to decrease her naturally high levels of testosterone in order to be able to take part in international competitions in the female category.

The 32-year-old was no longer able to take part in international competitions as she refused to undergo the treatment.

Semenya won Olympic gold medals in the women's 800 meters at London 2012 and Rio 2016 and also won three World Championships in 2009, 2011 and 2017.