Caster Semenya to take pills to reduce testosterone levels

New eligibility rules being drafted by IAAF will directly impact on Caster Semenya. These are regulations for a separate female classification to be known as an Athlete with Differences of Sexual Development (DSDs).

The regualtions are expected to be confirmed today and should an athlete challenge them, it may end up in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The decision will force Semenya to either take medication to reduce her testosterone or move to longer distance events.

Semenya will therefore have to switch to 5,000m and 10,000m if she refuses to take the medication.

Semenya‚ who is also the Olympic and world 800m champion‚ was first placed in the spotlight in 2009 with the IAAF saying she had undergone a gender verification process.

Her focus was to inspire girls from rural areas. “Sometimes‚ to be honest‚ if you always win‚ you run out of emotions. You don’t know how to express feelings‚ you don’t know how to celebrate. But it’s not about me anymore. It’s about the African girls who come from the rural areas who do not believe that they can do this . . . if you believe in yourself‚ anything is possible. This is just for them‚ to inspire them that they need to work hard‚ to believe in themselves.”