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The new eligibility regulations for female classification, as announced by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on Thursday, have attracted outrage from South Africans who see this as a target at athletics powerhouse Caster Semenya.
The IAAF said that female athletes who have naturally high testosterone levels will have to run against male athletes in future events or chose different races other than the 400m, 800m and 1 500m.
Semenya has dominated the 800m race for some time now and recently added the 1 500m, which she conquered too.
While the IAAF has conducted scientific studies that informed its decision, the matter raises the aspect of whether we should interfere with natural creation.
Semenya and other athletes with high testosterone levels were born that way.
Expecting them to change their natural being goes against the IAAF’s own rules, which prohibit the use of performance enhancement by athletes.
But now the governing body expects Semenya and others to use supplements that will lower their testosterone levels.
According to the IAAF, if Semenya does not wish to lower her testosterone levels, she is expected to compete with men if she wants to continue doing what she loves at international level.
But that is wrong on so many levels.
For this decision to go unchallenged will set a bad precedent, which may prejudice naturally gifted individuals or those with advantageous physical attributes such as above-average height or strong muscles.
We believe this matter – which some see as the IAAF playing God – requires a lot more debate.
At the same time, South Africans should make scientific arguments when supporting Semenya.
Emotional venting based on patriotism and love for our fellow citizen and hero just won’t cut it.
