Caster Semenya, two-time Olympic champion in the 800 meters, wants to become president of the international athletics association World Athletics. The South African said this in an ARD interview on the sidelines of the Olympic Games in Paris.
“I am working on my candidacy for the presidency, I like to challenge people who do not care about the rights of athletes,” the 33-year-old will say in the Sports show quoted. “I understand the importance of sports. I understand that I have to put the athletes first. This is not about me. It should be about serving the athletes. It should be about protecting them. It should be about making sure that all athletes are treated equally.”
The current president of World Athletics is Briton Sebastian Coe. According to the association’s constitution, after two terms in office he will not be allowed to run for a third term from 2027.
Caster Semenya is a multiple world champion and Olympic gold medalist. She won a gold medal in the 800-meter race at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Semenya’s fight against the testosterone rule
But she also became known because of the debate about her gender. According to World Athletics rules, Semenya is no longer allowed to take part in international competitions because she has too high a natural testosterone level. The association cites studies that show that intersex athletes like Semenya have a competitive advantage as a result.
In 2019, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected Semenya’s appeal against a testosterone cap. Semenya had to reduce her high testosterone levels with medication in order to continue to be able to take part in international competitions. Semenya refused to take these medications and took legal action against the ban on competing in several courts. The athlete has ended her active career.
Caster Semenya
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Caster Semenya, two-time Olympic champion in the 800 meters, wants to become president of the international athletics association World Athletics. The South African said this in an ARD interview on the sidelines of the Olympic Games in Paris.
“I am working on my candidacy for the presidency, I like to challenge people who do not care about the rights of athletes,” the 33-year-old will say in the Sports show quoted. “I understand the importance of sports. I understand that I have to put the athletes first. This is not about me. It should be about serving the athletes. It should be about protecting them. It should be about making sure that all athletes are treated equally.”
