EFF condemns IAAF targeting of Caster Semenya

26 April 2018 

The EFF condemns the actions of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) passing rules which are a clear targeting of Caster Semenya and may lead to her being forced to take medication to lower her natural testosterone levels or face disqualification from her speciality race which are 400m, 800m and 1500 races. 

These new rules are similar to the infamous apartheid Sobukwe Clause used to keep Robert Sobukwe under incarceration, without trial, for as long as the government wished it. 

The EFF views the action of IAAF as a deliberate, sexist, racist and anti-African attack on our Black Female Champion. Since 2009, when it was found that Caster Semenya had naturally acquired higher amounts of testosterone, she has been subjected to an ordeal, including invasive humiliating procedures that are never used on men. 

For many years, doping has been considered an illegal method used to enhance performance, yet the IAAF is considering it to help reduce and limit abilities of a black woman. 

According to a study published in 2014 by Dolle and other medical experts, it is calculated that seven out of 1,000 elite female athletes may be hyperandrogenic. The question therefore is; why is Caster Semenya the only one who is under such scrutiny from the international community and humiliation by the IAAF?

The EFF calls on all Africans and peoples of the world to rally in support of Caster Semenya and reject the IAAF for the racist and misogynist organisation it is.

Issued by Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, National Spokesperson, EFF, 26 April 2018