Semenya had challenged the IAAF’s rules forcing female athletes to regulate their testosterone levels.

“We supported the World Medical Association’s (WMA) demand for the immediate withdrawal of the Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) rule, which we believe constitutes a systematic affront to the dignity of all female athletes. 

"This ruling is both shocking and disconcerting. This certainly cannot be the way forward for the sport,” says Dr Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of SAMA, in reacting to the verdict from Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Dr Coetzee says SAMA will stand firmly behind Semenya should she wish to appeal the ruling in the Swiss Federal Tribunal. Semenya has 30 days to lodge her appeal should she wish to do so.

“That a world-class athlete has to endure this level of discrimination is unacceptable, unnecessary, and harmful,” notes Dr Coetzee.

The World Medical Association (WMA) has reiterated its advice to physicians around the world to take no part in implementing the new eligibility regulations for classifying female athletes. 

WMA President Leonid Eidelman said: “We have strong reservations about the ethical validity of these regulations. They are based on weak evidence from a single study, which is currently being widely debated by the scientific community. 

"They are also contrary to a number of key WMA ethical statements and declarations, and as such we are calling for their immediate withdrawal.” 

ANA