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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by Olympic 800-metres champion Caster Semenya to halt the introduction of regulations to limit testosterone in female athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs).
Semenya is suspected to be hyperandrogenous, a medical condition characterized by excessive levels of androgens (male sex hormones such as testosterone) in the female body which is widely believed to be giving her “unfair advantage” among other normal female athletes.
CAS ruled on Wednesday that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) regulations are needed to ensure fair competition between athletes who compete in events ranging from 400-metres to a mile.
The IAAF announced new rules in 2018, requiring hyperandrogenous athletes to take medication to lower their testosterone levels.
Because the new rule only applied to athletes competing in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m, many thought it was designed specifically to target Semenya.
The South African athlete then decided to challenge the new rule at CAS which has now dismissed her appeal.