Prof Steve Cornelius, Head of the Department of Private Law at the University of Pretoria and former member of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Disciplinary Tribunal says white supremacy is appearing again in athletics.
His comments come after the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland rejected the IAAF’s urgent request to be allowed to immediately re-impose its eligibility regulations on Caster Semenya
In an order issued on June 12, the Swiss Supreme Court upheld its prior order issued by the Court on May 31 in favour of Semenya.
The court’s prior order requires the IAAF to immediately suspend the implementation of its eligibility regulations against Semenya in light of the athlete’s pending appeal.
After considering the IAAF’s arguments, the Court has now determined in a second order that the IAAF’s request failed to set out any reason or change in circumstance that would justify a reconsideration of the prior order.
This means that Semenya remains permitted to compete without restriction in the female category at this time.
Speaking on SAfm’s Sunrise, Cornelius says, “This really goes back to the early 20th century when white supremacy was on the rise… it’s really that attitude that is reappearing again in athletics.”
Click below to listen to the full interview:
