South African middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has secured a significant victory at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), with the court ruling on July 10, 2025, that her right to a fair hearing was violated by the Swiss judicial system.
The 34-year-old, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in the 800 meters (2012 and 2016), has been barred from competing in her preferred event since 2019 due to World Athletics’ regulations limiting testosterone levels for female athletes. The ECHR’s Grand Chamber, by a 15-2 majority, found that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court failed to provide a rigorous review of her case, ordering Switzerland to pay her €80,000 in expenses and sending the matter back for reconsideration.
Semenya, who has differences in sexual development (DSD) leading to naturally higher testosterone levels, challenged the rules after losing appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2019 and the Swiss court in 2020. The ruling does not overturn World Athletics’ eligibility criteria but highlights procedural flaws, prompting Semenya to call it a step toward protecting athletes’ rights.
She expressed hope that it would inspire young women, though the decision avoids addressing discrimination claims due to jurisdictional limits. Critics of World Athletics argue the rules disproportionately target DSD athletes, while the governing body maintains they ensure fair competition. The case’s return to Swiss courts could take years, with Semenya now focusing on coaching.