FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press release

Swiss Supreme Court denies IAAF’s request to

immediately re-impose regulations on Caster Semenya
LAUSANNE (June 13, 2019) – The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has rejected the IAAF’s
urgent request to be allowed to immediately re-impose its eligibility regulations on Caster Semenya.

In an order issued on June 12, the Swiss Supreme Court upheld its prior order issued by the Court on
May 31 in favour of Caster Semenya. The Supreme Court’s prior order requires the IAAF to immediately
suspend the implementation of its eligibility regulations against Caster Semenya in light of the athlete’s
pending appeal. After considering the IAAF’s arguments, the Court has now determined in a second
order that the IAAF’s request failed to set out any reason or change in circumstance that would justify a
reconsideration of the prior order.

This means that Caster remains permitted to compete without restriction in the female category at this
time. The IAAF and Athletics South Africa have until June 25 to make submissions to the Supreme Court
on Caster’s request that the IAAF regulations be suspended throughout the entire appeal proceedings.
Until the Supreme Court decides on this request, the IAAF regulations remain suspended against
Caster.

Caster expressed concern that the IAAF is unwilling to voluntarily suspend the regulations against all
women athletes: “No woman should be subjected to these rules. I thought hard about not running the
800m in solidarity unless all women can run free. But I will run now to show the IAAF that they cannot
drug us,” she said.

Caster expresses grave frustration that she has been prevented from competing in the 800 meters at
the upcoming IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Rabat on June 16, in an apparent violation of the Swiss
Supreme Court’s order.

She was notified on June 11 that the President of the Moroccan Athletics Federation has denied her
participation in the 800m in Rabat. Caster is currently seeking clarity on the specific reasons for that
decision, and she urges the IAAF to ensure its member federations comply with the law and the Supreme
Court’s orders of May 31 and June 12.

In light of the real risk that Caster will be unjustifiably prevented from competing in the 800m, she has
been forced to compete in longer distance races. But Caster remains focused on defending her Diamond
League title in the 800m and has sought entry in that event at the Prefontaine Classic in California on
June 30.

Caster challenges the IAAF’s statement that it is committed to the full participation of women in sport
and that it respects each individual’s personal dignity.

“I am a woman, but the IAAF has again tried to stop me from running the way I was born,” she said.
“The IAAF questions my sex, causes me great pain and required me to take hormonal drugs that made
me feel constantly sick and unable to focus for many years. No other woman should be forced to go
through this in order to have the same right that all women have – to do what we love and run the way
we were born.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email bill@midtownpr.com