Caster Semenya ruling: Athletics South Africa considers appealing against controversial Cas decision

Cas ruled against the South African Olympic 800m champion, backing new rules by the world athletics governing body which force some female athletes with differences in sexual development to take testosterone suppressants

Athletics South Africa (ASA) is considering an appeal against a controversial ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) over the categorisation of female athletes.

Last month Cas ruled against the South African Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya, backing new rules by the world athletics governing body (IAAF) which force some female athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs) to take testosterone suppressants if they are compete over any distance from 400m to a mile.

In a statement on Monday, the South African government’s sport minister, Tokozile Xasa, called on ASA to appeal the decision to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

“ASA applied for recusal of two of the arbitrators who it felt were conflicted since they have handled the earlier case of the Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, as Caster was also going to be an affected athlete,” the statement said. “The strength of scientific, medical and legal case we presented, we believe, the outcome is inconceivable on the facts. The facts before (the) court and the outcome do not match.

“The pertinent legal questions that the court should have addressed we (believe were) not addressed. The court simply gave the unfettered latitude to the IAAF to do as it pleases. For instance, it has not been answered as to how the IAAF will implement the regulations and how ethical issues will be addressed.”


 Caster Semenya competes in the women's 800m in Doha 
 (EPA)

ASA is yet to comment but is understood to be considered the government’s advice before taking any further action.

Earlier this month Semenya won her final race before the rules came into the place, storming to victory in the 800m Diamond League event in Doha.