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.
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 hormoneChemicals carried in the bloodstream that alter the way your body's systems act. which causes changes to the body.
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In 2018, new rules were introduced. Athletes with the 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.
But Semenya legally challenged these rules. Her battle has been going on for years. Today, a top European court ruled that the rules break her human rightsThe basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life. Some have called for animals and even natural phenomena like rivers to have some form of 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.
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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.
Hormone - Chemicals carried in the bloodstream that alter the way your body's systems act.
Side effects - An unwanted or unexpected result that comes along with the wanted result of an action.
Human rights - The basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life. Some have called for animals and even natural phenomena like rivers to have some form of human rights.
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.
Hormone - Chemicals carried in the bloodstream that alter the way your body's systems act.
Side effects - An unwanted or unexpected result that comes along with the wanted result of an action.
Human rights - The basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life. Some have called for animals and even natural phenomena like rivers to have some form of human rights.
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.