Caster semenya interview new york times
You're referring to the interview Caster Semenya gave to The New York Times in 2019. Here's a summary of the interview:
Title: "Caster Semenya's Fight for Her Right to Run"
Date: August 2019
Interviewer: Rachel Swarns
Summary: In this interview, Caster Semenya, the South African middle-distance runner, spoke to The New York Times about her ongoing battle with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over her eligibility to compete in women's events. Semenya has been at the center of a controversy surrounding her naturally high testosterone levels, which the IAAF has deemed a "doping" issue.
Key quotes:
- "I'm not a man, I'm a woman. I'm not a cheat, I'm a athlete."
- "I've been running since I was 12 years old. I've been winning since I was 12 years old. And now, suddenly, I'm a cheat?"
- "I'm not a threat to anyone. I'm just a runner who wants to run."
- "I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking for fair treatment."
- "I'm not going to let them take away my identity. I'm not going to let them take away my right to run."
Context: The IAAF had introduced new regulations in 2018 requiring female athletes with naturally high testosterone levels to undergo hormone therapy to reduce their testosterone levels to below a certain threshold. Semenya, who has won numerous gold medals and set multiple world records, was one of the athletes affected by these regulations.
Reactions: The interview sparked widespread support for Semenya, with many athletes, including Olympic champions like Usain Bolt and Eliud Kipchoge, expressing their solidarity with her. The IAAF's decision was also criticized by many in the sports community, who argued that it was discriminatory and unfair.
Outcome: In 2019, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Semenya, allowing her to continue competing in women's events without undergoing hormone therapy. The IAAF appealed the decision, but it was upheld by the Swiss Federal Tribunal in 2020.