Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya asks for funds for legal fight
Semenya, classified as having differences in sexual development (DSD) but legally identified as female, has been fighting against regulations requiring her to take drugs to reduce her testosterone levels since 2018.
The 33-year-old double-Olympic champion Caster Semenya, members of the Commission for Gender Equality, South African Human Rights Commission, Civil Society Organisations, and her legal partners held a media conference at the Embassy Tower in Sandhurst.
The main aim of the conference was to announce the upcoming details of Semenya’s case at the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights.
Scheduled on May 15, 2024, the Grand Chamber will hear the case referred by the Swiss government against the July 2023 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights that World Athletics is bound by international law and may not discriminate against anyone without compelling reasons.
This is following the decision by World Athletics to prevent Caster Semenya from participating in international competitions.
Speaking at the conference, Semenya said this cause is very important – not only to her but to any young person with a dream and the tenacity to work hard enough towards their goals.
“I hope that together we will be able to make history, make a positive impact in truly making sure that the world of sport is for all.”
She then added that they lack funds as they have a lot of experts that come in that they need to pay.
“Anything that you may contribute, it makes a huge difference, in fighting for justice.”
For more information, please look out for our next newspaper edition.
Related Article: A scientific perspective on Semenya’s case
