The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has ordered the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to suspend its female eligibility regulations with immediate effect.
This means that, for the time being, athletes such as Caster Semenya will be able to compete in the 400m, 800m and 1 500m races while their appeals are pending.
Earlier this year, Semenya appealed against the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision to allow the IAAF to implement its female eligibility regulations. This would require athletes with a difference of sex development (DSD) to take medication to lower their high levels of naturally occurring testosterone.
In a statement released by her legal team, Swiss lawyer Dr. Dorothee Schramm of Sidley Austin LLP is quoted as saying that “this is an important case that will have fundamental implications for the human rights of female athletes.”
Semenya is also quoted in the statement, saying that she is “thankful to the Swiss judges for this decision,” and that she hopes that “following my appeal I will once again be able to run free.”
The IAAF suspension follows more great news related to the beloved double 800m Olympic champion, after it was revealed earlier this week that she has been included in the provisional national team for this year’s World Athletics Championships in September.
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