Difference between old and new eligiblity regulations iaaf

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has undergone significant changes to its eligibility regulations for athletes with differences of sexual development (DSDs) in recent years. Here's a summary of the key differences between the old and new regulations:

Old Regulations (2012-2018)

• The IAAF introduced a policy in 2012 that required athletes with DSDs to undergo hormone therapy to reduce their testosterone levels to below 10 nmol/L for at least six months before competing in certain events.
• The policy was challenged in court by South African athlete Caster Semenya, who argued that the regulations were discriminatory and had no scientific basis.
• In 2018, the IAAF's Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the policy, but with some modifications.

New Regulations (2019-present)

• In 2019, the IAAF introduced new eligibility regulations that replaced the previous policy.
• The new regulations require athletes with DSDs to meet specific testosterone level thresholds, which vary depending on the event:
  • 400m to 1500m: 5 nmol/L
  • 800m to 3000m: 3 nmol/L
  • 5000m and above: 2 nmol/L
• Athletes with DSDs must also undergo hormone therapy to reduce their testosterone levels to the required threshold for at least six months before competing in the relevant event.
• The new regulations also introduced a "step-by-step" approach, which allows athletes to gradually reduce their testosterone levels over a period of time, rather than requiring them to meet the threshold immediately.
• The IAAF has also established a "DSD Review Panel" to review and monitor the eligibility of athletes with DSDs.

Key differences

• The new regulations have a more nuanced approach to testosterone levels, recognizing that different events require different levels of testosterone.
• The step-by-step approach allows athletes to gradually adjust to the new testosterone levels, reducing the risk of sudden changes that could impact their performance.
• The DSD Review Panel provides a more transparent and consistent process for reviewing and monitoring the eligibility of athletes with DSDs.

Criticisms and controversies

• The new regulations have been criticized for still being discriminatory and having a disproportionate impact on female athletes with DSDs.
• Some argue that the regulations are based on outdated and flawed science, and that they do not address the underlying issues of gender and athletic performance.
• The IAAF has faced criticism for its handling of the issue, including allegations of bias and a lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Overall, the new regulations represent a significant shift in the IAAF's approach to eligibility for athletes with DSDs, but they remain controversial and have sparked ongoing debates about gender, sport, and human rights.