DStv Channel 403 Sunday, 22 December 2024

Caster Semenya continues legal battle for human rights

JOHANNESBURG - Double Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya is continuing her legal battle against World Athletics.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg will begin hearings on Wednesday.

It will decide if she should lower her testosterone levels to compete.

Last year, the court ruled the 33-year-old track star was a victim of discrimination.

READ: CASTER SEMENYA - THE FIGHT IS ABOUT 'HUMAN RIGHTS AND INCLUSIVITY'

It came after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against her in 2019.

The ECHR ruled the Swiss court decision constituted discrimination and a violation of her privacy.

That court has appealed to the European Court's Grand Chamber with that decision expected in a few months.

Current regulations force female athletes to take drugs to reduce testosterone levels to compete.

READ: SOUTH AFRICAN OLYMPIC CHAMPION SEMENYA ASKS FOR FUNDS FOR LEGAL FIGHT

Semenya's decade-long legal battle has cost an estimated R30-million.

It's also affected her career with her last race last March.

Semenya won Olympic gold in the 800 metres in London 2012 and Rio 2016.

She's been world champion three times in 2009, 2011 and 2017.

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