Should she be allowed to race? A top European court has ruled that star athlete Caster Semenya’s human rights were broken after she was banned from competing in some events in 2018.
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Olympic champion wins victory in hormone row
Should she be allowed to race? A top European court has ruled that star athlete Caster Semenya's human rights were broken after she was banned from competing in some events in 2018.
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What's happening?
Caster Semenya was only 18 when she won first place at the world track and field championships.
But in the same year, 2009, the rule-makers of the sport asked her to do a test to prove that she was female. It was the start of a long battle.
The tests revealed that Semenya has a condition which gives her higher-than-average testosteroneThe hormone that causes people to develop male sexual characteristics. Women also produce some testosterone. levels for a woman. Testosterone is a hormone which causes changes to the body.
In 2018, new rules were introduced. Athletes with this condition were only allowed to compete in some track events if they lowered their testosterone levels. There are lots of possible side effectsAn unwanted or unexpected result that comes along with the wanted result of an action. to this treatment.
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But Semenya legally challenged these rules. Her battle with the authorities has been going on for years. Today, a top European court ruled that the rules break her human rights.
But her battle is not over yet. The court's ruling was against the Swiss governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country., not against the sporting body World Athletics. This means that it will not do anything to change the current rules.
It is an issue which divides many. On the one hand, sport has always been a balance of hard work and the body someone is born with. A tall basketballer will almost always outplay a short one.
But on the other hand, trials have shown that boosting testosterone levels makes a difference to how female athletes perform. As of yet, nobody has found a solution that is fair for everybody.
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Should she be allowed to race?
Yes! Almost all athletes have some kind of advantageSomething (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others.. Nobody should be asked to take medicine which could be dangerous just so they can run.
No! Semenya has an advantage compared to other women athletes. The rules are unfair for her, but it would be unfair for other women if she was allowed to take part.
Keywords
Testosterone - The hormone that causes people to develop male sexual characteristics. Women also produce some testosterone.
Side effects - An unwanted or unexpected result that comes along with the wanted result of an action.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Advantage - Something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others.
Olympic champion wins victory in hormone row
On her toes: Caster Semenya has won Olympic gold in the women’s 800m two times, in 2012 and 2016. Glossary
Testosterone - The hormone that causes people to develop male sexual characteristics. Women also produce some testosterone.
Side effects - An unwanted or unexpected result that comes along with the wanted result of an action.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Advantage - Something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others.