Olympic champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Caster+Semenya">Caster Semenya</a> said on Sunday she would not defend her world title in Doha next September if she could not run in the 800 metres because of new testosterone regulations imposed by the sport's governing body.

"If I am not running 800 metres, I'm not running in the world championships," the 28-year-old South African said after winning her favourite event in one minute, 55.70 at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting.

"No 1,500 (metres), nothing. I am just going to take a vacation, and then come (back to competing) next year."

But Semenya, who is challenging International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) testosterone rules that could affect her career, is looking towards the next three Olympics.

"I expect to be in Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles," she said

The South African repeated that she would not take medication to satisfy the IAAF regulations, which are currently on hold for her after a court ruling.

Under the rules, XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs), like Semenya, must take medication to lower their natural testosterone levels if they are to compete at distances from 400m to a mile.

Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin and the IAAF said its own research showed it gave a significant endurance advantage to athletes in the 400 metres to mile range.

Semenya has refused to take the medication, saying: "I am a woman and I am a world-class athlete. The IAAF will not drug me or stop me from being who I am.”

But the South African said that even if she eventually lost her case, she planned to continue competing.

"There are a lot of races that I can do, there are a lot of stuff that I can do," she said.

"I am a talented athlete. I can play football (soccer), I can play basketball, I can do anything, I can run 100, I can run 200, I can run the steeple(chase), I can do anything I want."

But the first objective is to win her case against the IAAF regulations.

"This is like a legal battle," Semenya said. "It's like war. You don't give up. You beat me today, I beat you tomorrow.

"But I am not doing this for me. I am a world champion, I have achieved everything I ever wanted.

"At the end of the day I am doing this for those who can't fight for themselves."

Easy Win

Semenya charged ahead about 600 metres into Sunday's race and won by almost 15 metres over American record holder Ajee Wilson to claim her 31st consecutive final in the event. She last lost an 800 metres final in Berlin on Sept. 6, 2015.

The race was the fastest ever run in the United States, but the three-time world champion said she felt sluggish.

"I (would be) still sleeping at home," she said, noting it was about midnight in South Africa.

The competition was Semenya's first since the Swiss Federal Tribunal said she did not have to adhere to the IAAF regulations until her appeal against a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in favour of the new rules is decided.

The IAAF has said the regulations are necessary to preserve the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events.

Earlier, Kenya's world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech cruised to the fifth fastest time in the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase, 8:55.58.

American Rai Benjamin showed he was ready to challenge for his first world 400 metre hurdles title when he ran 47.16 seconds - the ninth fastest of all time.

Christian Coleman also produced a 2019-leading time, winning the 100 metres in 9.81 seconds, as 37-year-old world champion Justin Gatlin showed he will again be a factor in Doha after taking second in 9.87.

Kenyan Tim Cheruiyot added the year's fastest mile, 3:50.49. Michael Norman won the 400 metres in 44.62 and Swedish teenager Mondo Duplantis topped world champion Sam Kendricks in the pole vault, clearing 5.93 metres.

Olympic champion Caster Semenya said on Sunday she would not defend her world title in Doha next September if she could not run in the 800 metres because of new testosterone regulations imposed by the sport's governing body.

Olympic champion Caster Semenya said on Sunday she would not defend her world title in Doha next September if she could not run in the 800 metres because of new testosterone regulations imposed by the sport's governing body. "If I am not running 800 metres, I'm not running in the world championships," the 28-year-old South African said after winning her favourite event in one minute, 55.70 at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting. "No 1,500 (metres), nothing. I am just going to take a vacation, and then come (back to competing) next year." But Semenya, who is challenging International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) testosterone rules that could affect her career, is looking towards the next three Olympics. "I expect to be in Tokyo, Paris and Los Angeles," she said The South African repeated that she would not take medication to satisfy the IAAF regulations, which are currently on hold for her after a court ruling. Under the rules, XY chromosome athletes with differences in sexual development (DSDs), like Semenya, must take medication to lower their natural testosterone levels if they are to compete at distances from 400m to a mile. Testosterone is a hormone that increases muscle mass, strength and haemoglobin and the IAAF said its own research showed it gave a significant endurance advantage to athletes in the 400 metres to mile range. Semenya has refused to take the medication, saying: "I am a woman and I am a world-class athlete. The IAAF will not drug me or stop me from being who I am.” But the South African said that even if she eventually lost her case, she planned to continue competing. "There are a lot of races that I can do, there are a lot of stuff that I can do," she said. "I am a talented athlete. I can play football (soccer), I can play basketball, I can do anything, I can run 100, I can run 200, I can run the steeple(chase), I can do anything I want." But the first objective is to win her case against the IAAF regulations. "This is like a legal battle," Semenya said. "It's like war. You don't give up. You beat me today, I beat you tomorrow. "But I am not doing this for me. I am a world champion, I have achieved everything I ever wanted. "At the end of the day I am doing this for those who can't fight for themselves." Easy Win Semenya charged ahead about 600 metres into Sunday's race and won by almost 15 metres over American record holder Ajee Wilson to claim her 31st consecutive final in the event. She last lost an 800 metres final in Berlin on Sept. 6, 2015. The race was the fastest ever run in the United States, but the three-time world champion said she felt sluggish. "I (would be) still sleeping at home," she said, noting it was about midnight in South Africa. The competition was Semenya's first since the Swiss Federal Tribunal said she did not have to adhere to the IAAF regulations until her appeal against a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling in favour of the new rules is decided. The IAAF has said the regulations are necessary to preserve the integrity of female athletics in the restricted events. Earlier, Kenya's world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech cruised to the fifth fastest time in the women's 3,000 metres steeplechase, 8:55.58. American Rai Benjamin showed he was ready to challenge for his first world 400 metre hurdles title when he ran 47.16 seconds - the ninth fastest of all time. Christian Coleman also produced a 2019-leading time, winning the 100 metres in 9.81 seconds, as 37-year-old world champion Justin Gatlin showed he will again be a factor in Doha after taking second in 9.87. Kenyan Tim Cheruiyot added the year's fastest mile, 3:50.49. Michael Norman won the 400 metres in 44.62 and Swedish teenager Mondo Duplantis topped world champion Sam Kendricks in the pole vault, clearing 5.93 metres.

Caster Semenya vows no world championships if she can't run 800m

South African fans of Olympian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cas-dismisses-caster-semenya-appeal-over-iaaf-testosterone-regulations-215042">Caster Semenya Wednesday expressed shock and disappointment</a> after their star athlete lost a bid to challenge IAAF rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels.&nbsp;

In a landmark ruling, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the IAAF regulations which require women like Semenya, with higher than average natural female testosterone levels, to take medically-prescribed drugs to lower their testosterone levels or be kicked out of competitions.&nbsp;

"We are bitterly disappointed," said Bathabile Dlamini, the minister for women.&nbsp;

"This is a disappointing judgement, it actually removes Caster Semenya's agency as person, as an athlete, as a person who trains hard," Dlamini said.&nbsp;

"As the department of women we are particularly angered (that) we are expected to conform to western notions ...for our athletes to compete".&nbsp;

She said Semenya was being targeted because "she is so successful through&nbsp;her hard training and her dedication".

"It's a violation of her rights as a woman, the violation of her rights as human being".

'Beyond outrageous'

Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa said the "regulations trample on the human rights and dignity" of the 28-year-old who was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2019.

Athletics South Africa (ASA) said it was "deeply disappointed and profoundly shocked" that the Court had ruled in favour of the new regulations, and that it would consider appealing the "disgraceful" decision.

"We are ... reeling in shock at how a body held in high esteem like CAS can endorse discrimination without flinching.

"South Africa knows discrimination better and CAS has seen it fit to open the wounds of apartheid, a system of discrimination condemned by the whole world as a crime against humanity," said ASA in a statement.&nbsp;

'Reeling in shock'

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) said it was "appalled" by the court decision.

"It is rather disheartening to learn that the Court has ruled against Caster Semenya in her fight to be treated equally and without prejudice," it said in a statement.

It accused the IAAF of "acting in a prejudicial manner that divides rather than unites athletes."&nbsp;

"Shocked" by the decision, the main opposition Democratic Alliance party called on the government and sporting federations to "use all available processes to oppose this decision and fight for her right to compete on the international stage without having to take any drugs to suppress what she was naturally born to do".

Semenya, who has dominated the 800m over the last decade and had remained largely silent through the court battle, on Wednesday vowed in a statement that the court decision "will not hold me back".&nbsp;

She said she knew "that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically. For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger".&nbsp;

"I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world." &nbsp;

On social media her fans were furious.&nbsp;

From Cape Town, one tweeted that the decision was "beyond outrageous" adding "I thought sport was about not putting hormones in your body".&nbsp;

A Pretoria-based fan wrote the CAS decision smacked "of racism, sexism and bigotry rolled into one".&nbsp;

South African fans of Olympian Caster Semenya Wednesday expressed shock and disappointment after their star athlete lost a bid to challenge IAAF rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels.

South African fans of Olympian Caster Semenya Wednesday expressed shock and disappointment after their star athlete lost a bid to challenge IAAF rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels. In a landmark ruling, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the IAAF regulations which require women like Semenya, with higher than average natural female testosterone levels, to take medically-prescribed drugs to lower their testosterone levels or be kicked out of competitions. "We are bitterly disappointed," said Bathabile Dlamini, the minister for women. "This is a disappointing judgement, it actually removes Caster Semenya's agency as person, as an athlete, as a person who trains hard," Dlamini said. "As the department of women we are particularly angered (that) we are expected to conform to western notions ...for our athletes to compete". She said Semenya was being targeted because "she is so successful through her hard training and her dedication". "It's a violation of her rights as a woman, the violation of her rights as human being". 'Beyond outrageous' Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa said the "regulations trample on the human rights and dignity" of the 28-year-old who was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2019. Athletics South Africa (ASA) said it was "deeply disappointed and profoundly shocked" that the Court had ruled in favour of the new regulations, and that it would consider appealing the "disgraceful" decision. "We are ... reeling in shock at how a body held in high esteem like CAS can endorse discrimination without flinching. "South Africa knows discrimination better and CAS has seen it fit to open the wounds of apartheid, a system of discrimination condemned by the whole world as a crime against humanity," said ASA in a statement. 'Reeling in shock' The ruling African National Congress (ANC) said it was "appalled" by the court decision. "It is rather disheartening to learn that the Court has ruled against Caster Semenya in her fight to be treated equally and without prejudice," it said in a statement. It accused the IAAF of "acting in a prejudicial manner that divides rather than unites athletes." "Shocked" by the decision, the main opposition Democratic Alliance party called on the government and sporting federations to "use all available processes to oppose this decision and fight for her right to compete on the international stage without having to take any drugs to suppress what she was naturally born to do". Semenya, who has dominated the 800m over the last decade and had remained largely silent through the court battle, on Wednesday vowed in a statement that the court decision "will not hold me back". She said she knew "that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically. For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger". "I will once again rise above and continue to inspire young women and athletes in South Africa and around the world." On social media her fans were furious. From Cape Town, one tweeted that the decision was "beyond outrageous" adding "I thought sport was about not putting hormones in your body". A Pretoria-based fan wrote the CAS decision smacked "of racism, sexism and bigotry rolled into one".

'Trampling on rights and dignity': South Africans livid at Caster Semenya decision

The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia had limited time for &quot;legal manoeuvring&quot; to defend the rights of its athletes after a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. 
 
&quot;Certainly, the court decision was unpleasant and bad news,&quot; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with journalists. 
 
&quot;To our regret, that decision falls on the eve of the Olympics, so of course legal manoeuvring to continue defending the rights of our sportspeople is pretty limited in time now.&quot; 
 
CAS, sport&#39;s highest tribunal, rejected on Thursday Russia&#39;s appeal against a doping ban for its entire athletics team from the Rio Olympics. 
 
Russia had argued it had taken steps to clean up the sport, and that the blanket ban was unfair to individual athletes with no record of doping. 
 
Russian officials, and many ordinary people in the country, have interpreted the doping allegations as part of a conspiracy inspired by Western governments who fear Moscow&#39;s growing influence. 
 
A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry called the court decision &quot;a crime against sport&quot;. 
 
The decision by the Swiss-based court increases the possibility that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will now exclude Russia from all sports, not just track and field, in Rio de Janeiro. The IOC is expected to reach a final decision on Sunday. 
 
That would mark the deepest crisis in the Olympic movement since the U.S. and Soviet boycotts of the 1980s, and would be a grave blow to a nation that prides itself on its status as a sporting superpower. 
 
Russia is one of the world&#39;s foremost sporting powers which won the third biggest overall medal haul at the last summer Olympics in 2012 -- though some of those results are now in question because of doping suspicions. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

CAS, sport's highest tribunal, rejected on Thursday Russia's appeal against a doping ban for its entire athletics team from the Rio Olympics

The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia had limited time for "legal manoeuvring" to defend the rights of its athletes after a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. "Certainly, the court decision was unpleasant and bad news," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with journalists. "To our regret, that decision falls on the eve of the Olympics, so of course legal manoeuvring to continue defending the rights of our sportspeople is pretty limited in time now." CAS, sport's highest tribunal, rejected on Thursday Russia's appeal against a doping ban for its entire athletics team from the Rio Olympics. Russia had argued it had taken steps to clean up the sport, and that the blanket ban was unfair to individual athletes with no record of doping. Russian officials, and many ordinary people in the country, have interpreted the doping allegations as part of a conspiracy inspired by Western governments who fear Moscow's growing influence. A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry called the court decision "a crime against sport". The decision by the Swiss-based court increases the possibility that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will now exclude Russia from all sports, not just track and field, in Rio de Janeiro. The IOC is expected to reach a final decision on Sunday. That would mark the deepest crisis in the Olympic movement since the U.S. and Soviet boycotts of the 1980s, and would be a grave blow to a nation that prides itself on its status as a sporting superpower. Russia is one of the world's foremost sporting powers which won the third biggest overall medal haul at the last summer Olympics in 2012 -- though some of those results are now in question because of doping suspicions. (Reuters)

CAS ruling limits legal options for Russian athletes

Olympic champion Usain Bolt said on Thursday it is good for authorities to send a &quot;strong message&quot; against doping. 
 
When asked about the Court of Arbitration for Sport&#39;s decision to reject Russia&#39;s appeal against its ban from Rio Olympics athletics, Bolt said: &quot;For me, if you have the proof and you catch somebody I definitely feel that you should take action and if you feel like banning the whole team is the right action then I&#39;m all for it. As I said rules are rules and doping violations is getting really bad and so if you feel like you need to make a statement then thumbs up.&quot; 
 
The Jamaican sprint champion added, &quot;If you&#39;re cheating then I always feel it&#39;s a good message to show that, listen, if you cheat or you go against the rules then we&#39;re going to take serious action. This will scare a lot of people or send a strong message that sport is serious and we want to clean the sport up so I definitely think so.&quot; 
 
The ruling by the CAS, sport&#39;s highest tribunal, will be taken into consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as it ponders whether to impose a blanket ban on Russia from all sports. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

CAS ban on Russian athletes has triggered a crisis in world sport, risking a split in the Olympic movement

Olympic champion Usain Bolt said on Thursday it is good for authorities to send a "strong message" against doping. When asked about the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to reject Russia's appeal against its ban from Rio Olympics athletics, Bolt said: "For me, if you have the proof and you catch somebody I definitely feel that you should take action and if you feel like banning the whole team is the right action then I'm all for it. As I said rules are rules and doping violations is getting really bad and so if you feel like you need to make a statement then thumbs up." The Jamaican sprint champion added, "If you're cheating then I always feel it's a good message to show that, listen, if you cheat or you go against the rules then we're going to take serious action. This will scare a lot of people or send a strong message that sport is serious and we want to clean the sport up so I definitely think so." The ruling by the CAS, sport's highest tribunal, will be taken into consideration by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as it ponders whether to impose a blanket ban on Russia from all sports. (Reuters)

Usian Bolt urges strong message against doping, supports CAS ruling

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Caster Semenya vows no world championships if she can't run 800m

'Trampling on rights and dignity': South Africans livid at Caster Semenya decision

CAS ruling limits legal options for Russian athletes

Usian Bolt urges strong message against doping, supports CAS ruling