Abstract

MCQUOID-MASON, D J. Caster Semenya wins at the European Court of Human Rights regarding the right of athletes to a fair hearing during disputes between individual athletes and their sport governing bodies. SAJBL [online]. 2025, vol.18, n.2, pp.40-42. ISSN 1999-7639.  https://doi.org/10.7196/sajbl.2025.v18i2.3975.

In the case of Semenya v Switzerland, the European Court of Human Rights held that when athletes complain to their sport's governing bodies regarding regulations that undermine their human rights, which such bodies claim are compatible with substantive public policy, the arbitration or reviewing bodies must rigorously - and not restrictively - examine the breaches of the athletes' fundamental rights before deciding a case. This decision should result in important changes to the governance of international sport.

Keywords : Caster Semenya; European Court; human rights; women athletes; sex differences; unfair treatment; World Athletics; eligibility regulations; successful appeal; important changes.

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