Iaaf Approves New Gender Rules

The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has approved new regulations regarding the eligibility of female athletes with hyperandrogenism, which causes abnormally high levels of testosterone, to compete in women’s athletics.??

Under previous regulations a female athlete with the condition could be prevented from competing, as was the case with 800m world champion Caster Semenya. ??

The South African won the 800m at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, but was then sidelined while the IAAF investigated her high testosterone levels.

??She has since returned to competition, but the episode lead to the IAAF Council commissioning a review that has taken 18 months to complete.??The new rules will come into place from 1st May and apply to all international events. ??

An IAAF statement said: ‘Competition in athletics will continue to be divided into men’s and women’s competition recognising that there is a difference in sporting performance between elite men and women, that is predominantly due to higher levels of androgenic hormones in men’. ??

The statement also clarified that a female athlete with hyperandrogenism will be eligible to compete in women’s competitions in athletics provided she is recognised as a female by law, and has either androgen levels below the male, or has an androgen resistance that means she derives no competitive advantage from such levels. ??

The IAAF is the first federation to adopt plans set up by the International Olympic Committee executive board last week for the 2012 Games in London. ??

The IAAF has now appointed a panel of international medical experts to review cases of female athletes with hyperandrogenism, and will operate independently of the IAAF, making recommendations to the governing body over athletes’ eligibility for competition.??

Athletes referred can expect a full medical examination, and those who refuse will be banned from competing in women’s athletics competition.