Women’s Olympic Champion Caster Semenya Is ‘Biologically Male,’ IAAF Claims

Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya cried foul after she was deemed “biologically male” by the International Associations of Athletic Federations which she also claims used her as a "lab rat" in the past.

Recent documents released by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland reveal an astounding claim by the IAAF about the South American female athlete, Caster Semenya. According to these documents, the sports regulation body ordered Semenya to medically reduce her natural testosterone levels in order to compete as a female because she bears the characteristics of a “biologically male” individual.

IT'S BEEN TEN YEARS

Semenya’s genetic makeup first came into question a decade ago when she was subjected to a series of tests to verify her gender. According to the naturally born female in her witness statement during a recent trial deciding on her future in sports, she was ordered by the IAAF to undergo tests in 2009 without revealing why.

“It was an order by the IAAF which I had no choice but to comply with," she said in the document. She described this time of her life as “the most profound and humiliating experience of my life.”

The IAAF recently won a case to implement a new rule concerning female athletes with unusually high testosterone levels described by the governing body as a medical condition known as “differences of sex development.”

THE IAAF IMPLEMENTS STRICTER MEASURES TO REGULATE FEMALE TESTOSTERONE LEVELS

Ten years later and Semenya is still at the center of the controversy. The IAAF recently won a case to implement a new rule concerning female athletes with unusually high testosterone levels described by the governing body as a medical condition known as “differences of sex development.” The condition is characterized by females born with typical male XY chromosomes. This, according to the IAAF, gives Semenya an unfair advantage over other female athletes.

According to the new rule, to make things fair, females who fall under this category must take steps to reduce their testosterone levels six months prior to participating in athletic competitions. They must undergo either of three methods for testosterone reduction which include taking a daily contraceptive pill, a monthly hormone-blocking injection, or surgery.

SEMENYA REJECTS NEW RULE

As a result of this latest ruling, Semenya filed an appeal with Switzerland’s Court of Arbitration for Sport to dismiss the rule which she claims is a violation of her human rights. Backed by medical experts’ claims that the testosterone regulation is unethical, Semenya refuses to be subjected to it because it aims to diminish her naturally inherited gifts.

“I will not allow the IAAF to use me and my body again.”

THE OLYMPIC RUNNER WINS APPEAL

Semenya also expressed her hurt at being described as "biological male." She says it "hurts more than I can put into words" and felt insulted to be told she was not a woman.

Her appeal proved victorious with the CAS temporarily suspending the policy pending a trial to hear her full appeal.

Semenya is relieved. "I am thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision," she said following her victory. She vows in a statement released on Tuesday, “I will not allow the IAAF to use me and my body again.”

SHE CLAIMS SHE WAS USED AS A "LAB RAT"

The professional runner claimed that between 2010-2015, she was made to take oral contraceptives to suppress her testosterone before competing. This resulted in her weight gain and various side effects including fevers and abdominal pain. She accused IAAF of using her as a “lab rat” to test the medical procedures now being required of female athletes like her through the new rule. Two other runners have come forward to reject the IAAF ruling along with Semenya.