Two-Time Olympic Champion Caster Semenya Wins Partial Victory In Fight Over Track's Sex Eligibility Rules

Caster Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion runner, has achieved a partial victory in her seven-year legal battle against sex eligibility rules in track and field. On June 10, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that her right to a fair hearing was violated during her case in Switzerland. The ruling, with a vote of 15-2 in her favour, concluded that the Swiss government failed to meet the requirements of Article 6 regarding fair hearings. Semenya, who has dominated the 800 meters since 2009 and won her 30th consecutive race in May 2019 in Doha, Qatar, faced legal challenges to her eligibility beginning the year before that victory.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 11 July 2025 12:14 pm

South African athlete Caster Semenya case in European Court of Human Rights_sex eligibility rules

EU Caster Semenya Court Ruling | Photo: AP/Antonin Utz

South Africa's Caster Semenya, center, answers reporters with lawyers Gregory Nott, left, and Shona Jolly KC after Semenya won a partial victory at the European Court of Human Rights on in her seven-year legal fight against track and field's sex eligibility rules in Strasbourg, eastern France.

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EU Caster Semenya Court Ruling | Photo: AP/Antonin Utz

South Africa's Caster Semenya, center, answers reporters with lawyer Gregory Nott, left, after Semenya won a partial victory at the European Court of Human Rights on in her seven-year legal fight against track and field's sex eligibility rules in Strasbourg, eastern France.

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EU Caster Semenya Court Ruling | Photo: AP/Antonin Utz

South Africa's Caster Semenya speaks to lawyer Gregory Nott, right, in the European Court of Human Rights before a decision over sex eligibility rules in sports in Strasbourg, eastern France.

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EU Caster Semenya Court Ruling | Photo: AP/Antonin Utz

South Africa's Caster Semenya sits in the European Court of Human Rights before its decision over sex eligibility rules in sports, in Strasbourg, eastern France.

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EU Caster Semenya Court Ruling | Photo: AP/Antonin Utz

South Africa's Caster Semenya sits in the European Court of Human Rights before its decision over sex eligibility rules in sports in Strasbourg, eastern France.

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