Navaratilova backs Semenya ahead of IAAF gender rule hearing

LONDON: Tennis great Martina Navratilova has come to the defence of Olympic 800 metres champion Caster Semenya ahead of next week´s landmark hearing on proposed rules that aim to restrict testosterone levels in female athletes.

Significantly, the change would only apply to female athletes competing in distances from 400 metres to a mile — a point highlighted by 18-time Grand Slam single champion Navratilova in a column for Britain´s Sunday Times newspaper.

“Leaving out sprints and longer distances seems to me to be a clear case of discrimination by targeting Semenya,” Navratilova wrote.

“And can it be right to order athletes to take medication? What if the long-term effects proved harmful?“Semenya´s case will come up tomorrow before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It is expected to last a week and the outcome is expected by March 29. I hope she wins.”