The Finish Line of Caster Semenya’s Judicial Marathon

The European Court of Human Rights has set a real precedent in sport, after ruling that Caster Semenya was not granted a right to a fair hearing.

On July 10 2025, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled by 15–2 that Switzerland’s highest court failed to properly review South African runner Caster Semenya’s appeal against World Athletics’ testosterone rules, denying her a fair hearing under Article  6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

BACKGROUND

Who is Caster Semenya?

A South African middle-distance runner born in 1991. She shot to fame at 18 with a World Championship title in 2009, followed by Olympic golds in 2012 and 2016.

Shortly after her 2009 win, athletics officials tested her sex due to her rapid improvement, deep voice, and muscular build. Semenya was later diagnosed with 5α-reductase 2 deficiency, a condition causing naturally high testosterone levels.

Why the controversy?

In 2018, World Athletics introduced rules forcing athletes with certain DSD conditions—and testosterone above 5 nmol/L—to medically reduce levels to compete in women’s events. Semenya refused, leading to her exclusio…