The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

IAAF disputes Swiss court ruling on Semenya

Caster Semenya racing
Semenya won her last race - the women's 800-metre final at the Diamond League in Doha, Qatar. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved

The world athletics governing body said it would seek to reverse a Swiss court decision to allow controversial women’s athlete Caster Semenya to temporarily race without taking testosterone-reducing medication.

The International Association of Athletics FederationsExternal link  (IAAF) issued a statementExternal link on Wednesday protesting that it had not been able to put its case to the Swiss Federal Court. The court on Tuesday issued a “superprovisional order” that lifted restrictions on the athlete competing until her appeal is heard in full.

This order gives Semenya leave to race without testosterone-reducing medication until June 25, giving the athlete temporary relief from a previous decision taken by the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for SportExternal link (CAS).

The IAAF has objected to the Swiss court’s intervention, stating that the hearing “was requested and issued without the IAAF’s knowledge”. This meant that the athletics organisation had been unable to argue its position to the court.

The IAAF said it was committed to the “full participation of women” in athletics and respects “each individual’s personal dignity”, but added: “However, the IAAF is convinced that there are some contexts, sport being one of them, where biology has to trump identity.”

The IAAF said it would therefore seek a “swift reversion” of Tuesday’s Federal Court decision to allow Semenya to compete for the time being. Semenya won her last competitive 800 metres race at the Doha Diamond League meeting on May 3 and could potentially race again in Oslo on June 13.

While being recognised as female, Semenya has both X and Y chromosomes that produce high levels of testosterone. The IAAF, backed by CAS, insists that she take medication to reduce her testosterone levels before being allowed to race again.

More


Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

The federal government is working on a new Swiss identity card with a chip

More

New Swiss biometric ID card planned for 2026

This content was published on A biometric Swiss identity card (ID) is expected to be available in Switzerland by the end of 2026. The Federal Office of Police and its federal and cantonal partners are working on a new ID card that features a chip.

Read more: New Swiss biometric ID card planned for 2026
Opportunities for social mobility remain high in Switzerland

More

Swiss continue to enjoy high social mobility, study shows

This content was published on Opportunities for upward social mobility have remained intact in Switzerland since the 1980s. Social mobility is exceptionally high by international comparison, a study shows.

Read more: Swiss continue to enjoy high social mobility, study shows
UBS launches another billion share buyback programme

More

UBS launches buyback scheme for up to $2 billion in shares

This content was published on UBS is starting a share buyback programme for up to $2 billion (CHF1.6 billion) in shares, in line with a plan approved at its annual general meeting (AGM) in April, the Swiss bank said on Monday.

Read more: UBS launches buyback scheme for up to $2 billion in shares

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR