JOHANNESBURG – Athletics SA (ASA) announced on Thursday morning that it will challenge the IAAF’s controversial female classification rules.
The IAAF has introduced a new policy on April 24, which would attempt to regulate women that naturally produce testosterone levels above five nanomoles per litre.
For now, the regulations are limited to athletes that compete in events ranging from the 400m to the mile, which would include South African star Caster Semenya.
“As a member federation, we will engage the IAAF as our mother body and if they do not change their minds on this new rule after this engagement, we will proceed to CAS for further assistance on the matter,” ASA said in a statement.
For now, the regulations are limited to athletes that compete in events ranging from the 400m to the mile.
ASA said it had consulted widely with role-players which included the Minister of Sport and Recreation, the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), various expert institutions and other relevant organisations and individuals on the matter.
“Based on this consultation, we have now taken a decision that we will challenge the IAAF on these new regulations as we have found them to be skewed,” the statement read.
“ASA once again takes the opportunity to reaffirm our support for all our athletes who may be affected by this new ruling.
“Until further notice, ASA will not be making any further comments on this matter.”
@ockertde