The athletics’ world governing body, IAAF, has welcomed the Swiss Federal Tribunal’s decision to revoke Caster Semenya’s rights to participate in middle distance events.
On Tuesday, the South Africa’s Olympic and 800 metres world champion announced that she would miss the World Championships in Doha later in 2019, because of the decision.
Semenya is currently appealing a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in favour of the organisation’s controversial testosterone regulations.
Semenya had been allowed to compete in the 800-metre race, while awaiting the outcome of her appeal regarding the new regulations applicable to female middle-distance runners with differences in sexual development.
The Swiss Federal Tribunal has revoked that decision meaning the regulations now apply to Semenya preventing her from defending her world title in Doha in September.
The IAAF has welcomed the new ruling, saying that it creates much needed parity and clarity for athletes as they prepare for the world championships.
