New regulations could bar Semenya and other DSD athletes from elite track events.
South Africa’s Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion and one of track and field’s most celebrated middle-distance runners, is once again at the center of a major controversy in international athletics.
World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, has proposed a new set of rules that could completely exclude Semenya and other athletes with differences in sex development (DSD) from competing in the female category—regardless of whether they undergo testosterone suppression therapy.
The new guidelines, which were unveiled on Monday, recommend applying the same strict regulations imposed on transgender women to DSD athletes like Semenya, who was assigned female at birth but has naturally high testosterone levels.
If implemented, the rules could spell the end of Semenya’s career at the elite level and further complicate the global debate surrounding gender identity, fairness, and inclusivity in sports.
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From suppression therapy to full exclusion
Previously, DSD athletes were required to undergo hormone therapy to lower their testosterone levels for at least two years before they could compete in women’s events ranging from 400 meters to one mile. However, under the new proposal, athletes with a Y chromosome—often associated with male biological development—could be barred from competing in female categories altogether.
This rule change reflects a growing shift in global sports policies. In 2023, World Athletics banned transgender women who had transitioned after male puberty, citing scientific research suggesting that advantages gained from male development persist even after hormone therapy. Now, the organization is extending similar logic to DSD athletes, stating that even before puberty, children born male have a performance advantage over those born female.
The proposed rules also mark a return to chromosome testing, a practice largely abandoned in the 1990s due to ethical concerns. Under the new system, female athletes would be required to undergo genetic screening through cheek swabs or blood samples to determine whether they carry a Y chromosome.
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Caster Semenya’s fight for inclusion
Semenya, whose dominance in the 800 meters made her a global icon, has been at odds with World Athletics for more than a decade. After winning gold at the 2009 World Championships, she faced intense scrutiny over her gender identity, sparking a series of legal battles that continue to this day.
In 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld World Athletics’ rule requiring DSD athletes to lower their testosterone levels. However, in a landmark ruling last year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found that Semenya had been discriminated against and denied her human rights. Despite this, the ruling did not overturn the sports court’s decision, leaving Semenya in limbo.
The latest rule changes threaten to completely remove any path for Semenya to compete at the highest level, regardless of whether she complies with hormone therapy. The only potential lifeline could be World Athletics’ proposal to introduce a mixed-gender category for some events, though details remain vague.
A growing divide in global sports policy
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World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who has been vocal about protecting the integrity of women’s sports, has defended the new regulations, stating that they are based on “the latest developments in science, sport, and law.”
“The preservation of the female category is fundamental to the sport of athletics,” Coe said in a statement.
“We look forward to a collaborative consultation process with key stakeholders in this area.”
The announcement comes at a time when international and national sports policies on gender are becoming increasingly polarized. Just days ago, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, a move that aligns with the direction World Athletics is taking. Coe has also called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to take a stronger leadership role in setting global standards, rather than allowing each sport to establish its own rules.
With World Athletics opening a consultation period on the proposed rules through March 5, the track world is bracing for heated debate in the coming weeks.
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The final decision is expected at the end of March, shortly after the selection of the new IOC president—a role that Coe is reportedly vying for.
If the rules are implemented as proposed, Semenya and other affected athletes could be left with limited options. They might pursue further legal challenges, explore competition in alternative events or categories, or face the difficult decision of retiring from elite competition altogether
The future of fairness in women’s sports
The controversy surrounding Semenya’s eligibility is more than just a personal battle; it is a reflection of a broader conversation about fairness, inclusion, and the evolving definition of gender in sports.
While World Athletics argues that its new policies are necessary to protect the integrity of female competition, critics warn that they could reinforce discrimination and push athletes like Semenya out of the sport they love.
