Logo

Court Sides with Semenya in Gender Fight—Mboma, Masilingi Also Hit Hard by Rules


Caster Semenya
Caster Semenya

South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has secured a key victory at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which ruled on Thursday that her legal fight over gender testing was not handled fairly by Swiss courts.

The court found that Switzerland failed to properly review Semenya’s appeal against rules forcing female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels to take medication to compete in women’s categories. It concluded that Semenya’s right to a fair trial was violated and ordered Switzerland to pay her €80,000 in legal costs.

Although the ruling was a win for Semenya in terms of legal fairness, the court rejected her discrimination claims, saying they fell outside Switzerland’s jurisdiction.

Semenya has been fighting against the regulations since 2018, after World Athletics barred her from competing in her favourite 800m race unless she lowered her testosterone levels. She previously lost cases at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2019 and at the Swiss Federal Court in 2020, which argued that elevated testosterone gave female athletes a significant advantage.

While the ECHR previously found in 2023 that Semenya faced discrimination, the decision didn’t overturn World Athletics’ rules or allow her back into competition without medication.

The case has reignited debate on the impact of such rules. Namibian sprinters Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, who were also barred from competing in certain events unless they took hormone suppressants, have since seen their athletic careers suffer, experiencing repeated defeats after being forced onto medication.

0Comments

Share This Post

Leave a Reply


Sport News

CELEB STORIES
Namibian Gospel Singer, D-Naff Released on Bail After Fraud-Related Arrest
TUWOct 24, 2025
D-Naff

Prominent Namibian gospel artist and motivational speaker, Naftalie Amukwelele widely known as D-Naff, appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on…

Regina Daniels Needs Rehabilitation, Says Husband Senator Ned Nwoko Who Accused the Actress of Using Too Much Drugs
TUWOct 19, 2025
Regina Daniels Needs Rehabilitation, Says Husband Senator Ned Nwoko Who Accused the Actress of Using Too Much Drugs

Nigerian senator Ned Nwoko has accused his wife, actress Regina Daniels, of substance abuse and violent behaviour, claiming she requires…

Regina Daniels Cries Out Over Alleged Violence in Her Marriage with Millionare Ned Nwoko
Aneli FuraOct 18, 2025
Regina Daniels Cries Out Over Alleged Violence in Her Marriage with Millionare Ned Nwoko

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has reportedly opened up about ongoing challenges in her marriage to businessman and former senator Ned…

Diddy Sentenced to Four Years in Prison Over Prostitution Charges
TUWOct 4, 2025
Sean Diddy Combs convert

A federal judge in Manhattan has sentenced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to four years and two months in prison…


HEALTH TOPICS
Pupkewitz Foundation Repair 13 Ambulances Free of Charge
TUWOct 24, 2025
Pupkewitz Foundation Repair 13 Ambulances Free of Charge

Thirteen ambulances belonging to the Ministry of Health and Social Services have been fully restored to operational condition after receiving free mechanical repairs from the…

Rundu State Hospital the Main Beneficiaries of N$8.5 Million Medical Equipment Donation from IUM
TUWOct 22, 2025
Rundu State Hospital the Main Beneficiaries of N$8.5 Million Medical Equipment Donation from IUM

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has received medical equipment worth N$8.5 million from the International University of Management (IUM), with Rundu State Hospital…

Second Mpox Case Confirmed in Swakopmund
Ryan SiprianoOct 21, 2025
Second Mpox Case Confirmed in Swakopmund

Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has announced the confirmation of a second Mpox case in Swakopmund, bringing Namibia’s total confirmed infections to two. In a…

44 Individuals in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund Identified Through Mpox Contact Tracing
TUWOct 21, 2025
Mpox Cases Rise to 44 Along Namibia’s Coast towns

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has clarified that the 44 mpox cases reported in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are not confirmed infections. These…

Africa