Caster Semenya: IAAF requests overturning of order allowing athlete to compete without hormone suppressants

Athletics’ world governing body the IAAF has submitted its request to a Swiss court to overturn the order which means Caster Semenya can temporarily continue to compete in the 800m without taking hormone-suppressing drugs.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) earlier this month ordered the IAAF to suspend the implementation of its controversial eligibility regulations for the South African while her appeal against them is pending.

The double Olympic 800m champion had appealed against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling which approved the introduction by the IAAF of a new testosterone limit for female athletes who want to compete internationally between 400m and a mile.

The order from the SFT applies only to Semenya and does not cover any other athletes with differences in sex development (DSDs).

The IAAF said in a statement on Tuesday that it had “submitted its response on provisional measures to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, explaining why its DSD regulations should remain in force” during Semenya’s appeal.

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The IAAF has asked for the order for it to “super-provisionally suspend the implementation of the DSD regulations” with regards to Semenya to be reversed.

It has also asked for her application to suspend the implementation of the regulations as they apply to her pending the outcome of the appeal to be dismissed.

The governing body added: “The IAAF will continue to defend its DSD regulations and the CAS award in the appeal proceedings before the SFT because it continues to believe in equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls in our sport today and in the future.”

PA