IAAF accused of ‘blatant racism’ over new regulations that affect Caster Semenya
Rules limiting the testosterone levels of female athletes competing over distances between 400m and a mile will hit the South African Olympic champion
THE IAAF has been accused of “blatant racism” over new regulations which will impact Caster Semenya.
The rules will limit the testosterone levels of female athletes competing over distances between 400 metres and a mile.
And South Africa's ruling party the African National Congress has hit out at what it believes is a case against Olympic champ Semenya, 27.
South African minister of sport Tokozile Xasa described them as “Caster Semenya Regulations as they are designed to disadvantage Caster in her career”.
She added: “South Africans and all progressive people of the world must unite and support Caster and all affected athletes in this regard.
"Caster is not just an athlete to people of South Africa – she represents their hopes and aspirations.
"She is a pathfinder to the rural poor and downtrodden, she is an affirmation of black excellence.
"She undermines a stereotype that nothing good will ever come from the rural villages.”
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ANC spokesman Pule Mabe compared the policy to apartheid in a strongly-worded blast.
"These new regulations infringe on the human rights of athletes, targeting mainly those in east Europe, Asia and the African continent. The racial undertones of this cannot go unnoticed.”