When Caster Semenya burst on the scene in 2009, no one quite knew what to make of her. She came out of nowhere to completely dominate the 800 meters, winning the World Championship by more than two seconds and running times unheard of for an 18-year-old.
It was later revealed that Semenya has hyperandrogenism, a medical condition where she has excessive testosterone. She was held out of competition for nearly a year while the IAAF tried to determine whether or not that testosterone level gives her an unfair advantage. Semenya was eventually cleared a returned to the track in 2010. She has since become one of the most dominant athletes in the world, winning Olympic gold in Rio and two medals (gold in the 800, bronze in the 1500) at last year's World Championships. Earlier this month at the Commonwealth Games, Semenya won double gold in the 800 and 1500.
Her eligibility has been a subject of controversy ever since those 2009 Worlds. The IAAF passed a rule in 2012 requiring female athletes with hyperandrogenism to take hormones limiting their amount of testosterone. Semenya's times were greatly impacted by this new restriction. She did win Olympic silver (since upgraded to gold) in London, but didn't even qualify for the 2013 World Championships.
This rule was in effect until 2015, when Indian sprinter Dutee Chand successfully appealed against it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS ruled that the IAAF suspend its testosterone regulations for two years while encouraging them to use that time coming up with more conclusive evidence. Once the regulations were lifted, Semenya went from dominant to unbeatable.
Meanwhile, the IAAF commissioned a study to prove why the regulations are necessary. Their new evidence shows that, in certain events, testosterone levels really can affect performance (testosterone is, after all, the main reason why there are separate men's and women's classifications in the first place). Backed with this new evidence, the IAAF recently released its revised regulations.
Under the new rules, which likely won't take effect until November (if at all), athletes must maintain testosterone levels no higher than 5 nanomoles per liter of blood (half the previous limit) if they want to compete against females in events ranging from the 400 meters to the mile (the events where increased testosterone gives you a greater advantage, according to the IAAF study). Those athletes who choose not to lower their level will either have to switch events, compete against men or other intersex athletes, or be limited to competing on the national stage.
Some experts have predicted that this could result in Semenya's could go up as much as seven seconds under the new regulations. She would no longer be a threat to challenge the world record of 1:53.28 that has stood for 35 years. Instead, they think she would struggle to break 2:00 (the standard for world-class women's 800-meter runners). The most common projection is that Semenya would go back to her 2010-15 level (when she never broke 1:56).
Predictably, the response to these new restrictions has been overwhelmingly negative. The South African government has accused the IAAF of "blantant racism," and the ruling definitely does seem like it was aimed specifically at Semenya. Chand has offered Semenya her legal team in an effort to fight, which is a virtual certainty.
The IAAF has been stuck in a no-win situation regarding Semenya for nearly a decade. The women who compete against her think it's unfair and feel as if they have virtually no chance of winning if Semenya's in the race. But Semenya has always identified as a woman and shouldn't be forced to compete against men just to make other people feel better, either.
I get the IAAF's intent, too. They're trying to level the playing field. And, this was a topic that was bound to come up eventually, so getting something on the books isn't a terrible idea. Except they aren't going about it very well. Because it certainly looks like Caster Semenya is being singled out. If she weren't so dominant and she didn't look the way she does, this would be a non-issue.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there's going to be any resolution anytime soon. Semenya will likely make a legal challenge, and will likely keep winning while she does. Just like she has for the past 10 years. And, try as they might, it doesn't look like they'll be able to stop it.
One thing we do know for certain. As long as she runs, Caster Semenya is going to be a source of controversy. For one reason or another. And that controversy likely won't ever go away.
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