Caster Semenya told she can compete in men’s races

Caster Semenya has been told by The International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) that she can run against men, should she choose to.

After telling the South African athlete—who has naturally high testosterone levels—that she can no longer run in women’s races between 400m and one mile, the IAAF has followed up with a list of events Semenya is eligible for.

In a letter to the World Medical Association (WMA) seen by South Africa’s TimesLIVE, officials said that Semenya is entitled to complete in any women’s discipline “other than track events between 400m and a mile.”

She can also partake in any men’s event of her choosing “without restriction,” the IAAF wrote on Wednesday (May 8).

Caster Semenya loses IAAF appeal

The double Olympian lost a legal battle against the IAAF on May 1 over new rules which place limits on female athlete’s testosterone levels.

Under the regulations, women with a so-called difference of sexual development (DSD) will be forced to take hormones for at least six months before competing in order to alter their biology.

Semenya has said that she will not comply.

Five days before the regulations came into effect, Semenya won 800m gold at the Doha meeting of the IAAF Diamond League on Friday (May 3).

Caster Semenya of South Africa races to the finish line in Doha, Qatar. (Francois Nel/Getty)

After the race, many expected the 28-year-old to announce her retirement.

Instead, she said: “I believe nothing is hard in life because it is up to you how you take life.