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Cape Town - South African sporting stars, not just from the athletics world, have taken to social media to rally behind Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya after she lost her appeal against the IAAF.
On Wednesday, Semenya lost her court challenge, which saw the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) judges, by a 2-1 majority dismiss Semenya's appeal against the measures imposed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that compel "hyperandrogenic" athletes - or those with "differences of sexual development" (DSD) - to artificially lower their testosterone levels.
The decision by CAS means going forward with immediate effect, women with elevated testosterone will have to take suppressive treatment if they wish to compete against women in certain events.
Semenya and her legal team have 30 days to appeal the decision and they are understood to be considering their options currently.
READ: Billie Jean King: I stand with Caster
The outcry following the CAS' decision was enormous as thousands took to social media to express their shock and disappointment in the IAAF and the ruling.
South African athlete and former IAAF World Championships medallist Anaso Jobodwana was vocal on Twitter, calling the IAAF "useless".
Meanwhile, banned former Proteas opener Alviro Petersen shared his thoughts on Twitter, commenting that "what is legal isn't always fair" and wished Semenya well on our tough road ahead.
the IAAF is an incompetent organisation that has gone on a useless, degrading witch-hunt instead of dealing with the real problems of the sport and I do hope this comes back to bite them in the a**
— Anaso Jobodwana (@_ambitious_jay) May 1, 2019
I wanted to say this as well?????? https://t.co/MrHeZRubpe
— Anaso Jobodwana (@_ambitious_jay) May 1, 2019
@caster800m You rose against all odds ???? ,One of the greatest songs ever written about any sportsman/woman in our Country .We #Salute and Celebrate you each and everyday ???????? @mzwakhembuli and @dr_rebeccamalope ???? pic.twitter.com/xbPfRFIYSb
— IIKHUNE3216 (@IIKHUNE_32_16) May 1, 2019
I cant wait till you go out there and still collect gold medals for our nation and make them quiet and still wonder how you do it.
— lindsay hanekom (@lindzor93) May 1, 2019
And by the way @caster800m is still a legend ????????
— Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) May 1, 2019
It is difficult when you have to marry feelings, law and opinion. What is legal is not always fair. All the best to @caster800m
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) May 1, 2019
It's a tough judgement for #CasterSemenya , but u can discriminate in sport if that discrimination is necessary (CAS). Otherwise, the quota system would have been unlawful in SA. Tough road ahead for #Caster
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) May 1, 2019
I never thought we’ll reach this stage in our sport (track&field) where one woman’s ability would shake an entire organization.#IstanforCaster ????
— Ruswahl Samaai , OLY (@RuswahlSamaai) May 1, 2019
