Global governing body World Athletics may have had trouble enforcing controversial gender rules so far, but it better be prepared for a fight these days.
Up to this point, the rules restricting hyperandrogenic women have largely affected middle distance events, which are usually the domain of African athletes.
But after extending the ban on athletes with ‘sexual development differences’ this week in all track and field events, athletes in Europe, America and Asia will be further affected.
When banning athletes from countries like Namibia, Burundi and Kenya, these countries do not have the resources to take on international organizations of their size, and when Athletics South Africa joins Caster Semenya to take international federations to court, they are fighting a single battle.
This week’s announcement effectively ended Semenya’s career, but after losing multiple appeals, the 32-year-old middle distance star is beyond her prime and is unlikely to fight her any further than she already has.
Another problem
However, Semenya and the ASA are now the least of the problems facing World Athletics after announcing that DSD women must take hormone suppressants for two years before being allowed back on the track in women’s events.
When this rule begins to affect athletes from the United States, Great Britain and China, they will wake up sleeping giants with incredible resources and will be more than happy to fight an endless battle in court to have this rule overturned.
While people in South Africa were generally outraged by Semenya’s treatment, her participation was widely criticized by athletics fans from around the world, with many claiming that she should not be allowed to run against women.
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But as frustrated as Semenya is, she has finally stepped back from her role as the ‘poster girl’ of athletes with hyperandrogenism, not only because her career has faded but because more athletes are shining in other disciplines. so sidelined in the way they have been.
And if World Athletics thought South Africa was putting up a strong fight, they were in for a surprise.
As it may be critical when it affects a small group of individuals, the rest of the world will be upset like us when athletes who are closed out in the same way as African athletes have been sidelined, and the same. It will react with a stronger punch.