SA Minister of Sport and Recreation, Tokozile Xasa is in Lausanne, Switzerland, to support 800-meter world champ, Caster Semenya in her legal battle with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The Athletics Federation has proposed that certain female athletes undergo medical processes to reduce their testosterone levels.
Semenya has received widespread support from different corners of the world.
Xasa says her responsibility will be to convey messages of support from President Cyril Ramaphosa to Semenya.
What more can ones support be! The President @caster800m ! You are a blessed One! Fly our Flag higher and higher! # NaturallySuperior @caster800m #HandsoffCaster @SPORTandREC_RSA https://t.co/wzWOrRG1nh
— Tokozile Xasa (@TokozileXasa) February 19, 2019
In a 10 pages letter sent to IAAF President Sebastian Coe in September 18, 2018, several independent UN Special Rapporteurs also show support for Caster Semenya. They said that they had serious concerns related to the Eligibility regulations for the female classification.
“In this connection, we would like to bring to your attention serious concerns related to the Eligibility regulations for the female classification (athletes with differences of sex development) recently published by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
We understand that the regulations set eligibility criteria which, inter alia, require women athletes with specific differences in sex development, androgen sensitivity and natural levels of testosterone above 5nmol/L to medically reduce their blood testosterone level, 6 months before the competition and continuously thereafter, to below 5nmol/L, to maintain eligibility to compete in the female classification in restricted events at international competition.”
We oppose #IAAF Regulations. #NaturallySuperior #HandsOffCaster #WeStandbyCaster #CasterSemenya #Caster pic.twitter.com/u44DJ9SAKs
— Dep. Sport & Rec (@SPORTandREC_RSA) February 19, 2019
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