Olympic champion Caster Semenya has received an outpouring following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling to uphold the IAAF‘s decision to restrict testosterone levels in female athletes.
The star took the athletics’ governing body to court to dispute its rule which will see female athletes who run between 400m, 800m and 1 500m events, take medically-prescribed drugs to lower their testosterone or be kicked out of competitions.
Caster shared her thoughts on the ruling sharing part; “I know that the IAAF’s regulations have always targeted me specifically. For a decade the IAAF has tried to slow me down, but this has actually made me stronger. The decision of the CAS will not hold me back. I will once again rise above…”
Following the announcement of the decision, many South Africans took to social media to shower Caster with support.
Caster Semenya receives outpouring of support following CAS ruling. Here’s a look at what’s been said.
On Behalf of All South African Citizens, We love you❤❤ @caster800m those who don’t can go hang them selves in a tomato tree with a spider web. pic.twitter.com/hTfbW9dRdV
— ♣️ Melzow Viral Shock Nyaba ♣️ (@melzos_) May 2, 2019
We love you and stand with you @caster800m
You are our champion.— Salamina Mosese (@salaminaM) May 1, 2019
This is bad science, it’s unbearably cruel, it’s bigoted as all hell, and fuck everyone who thinks Caster Semenya deserves to be publicly humiliated like this. https://t.co/m1LkTCQVMk
— Kayleigh Donaldson (@Ceilidhann) May 1, 2019
Professional sport organizations: athletes are prohibited from using drugs.
Also professional sport organizations: athletes must use drugs to reduce the naturally occurring testosterone in their bodies.
Make it MAKE sense! #CasterSemenya
— Victoria Fields (@___VictoriaF) May 2, 2019
SEE ALSO: Caster Semenya could be forced to suppress her testosterone
Dear @caster800m, “keep your face towards the sun and the shadows will fall behind you” and know that as you appeal the unfair decision of the IAAF you stand with millions pic.twitter.com/5110z9IR6U
— Prof Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) May 2, 2019
We Are #CasterSemenya pic.twitter.com/F8FVsd8Fp8
— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) May 1, 2019
SEE ALSO: Caster Semenya among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2019
Black bodies – particularly Black women’s bodies – continue to be demonized & restrained by white considerations of “normality.” What’s happened to Caster Semenya is why we must fight against all gender-based oppression because we’re all at risk. https://t.co/8YIQTeYeuL
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) May 1, 2019
You @sebcoe and ur entitled cronies in the @iaaforg remain disgusting human beings!!
Enjoy ur day!!#CasterSemenya #Victory4Caster pic.twitter.com/INZ26Meh6l
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) May 1, 2019
Re-upping, because #CasterSemenya.
Standing with you, @caster800m https://t.co/stR4OfcQ2a— Shailja Patel (@shailjapatel) May 1, 2019
SEE ALSO: Caster Semenya cleans up at the SA Sports Awards
This is a vile act of bigotry borne out of sexism, transphobia (against a cis person, no less), and disgusting distrust of, and entitlement over, Black bodies.
This will go down as being on the wrong side of history, and my heart breaks for Caster Semenya. https://t.co/r1xGHtQIdw
— Charlotte Clymer?️? (@cmclymer) May 1, 2019
We are standing with you #CasterSemenya. You may have lost the battle but you have not lost the war. ✊?✊?✊???@caster800m pic.twitter.com/3sY5Gkgh0S
— Masechaba Ndlovu (@MasechabaNdlovu) May 2, 2019
Break all her records mama. This is not just about you! They’re attacking us! Take the records from them mama ! Banyise ! #castersemenya for the win always ! Ngeke sizwe ngani ! @caster800m pic.twitter.com/kIOtPuDjj8
— #GigiGangShow (@Gigi_Lamayne) May 2, 2019
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise….#CasterSemenya you have endured so much cruelty and degradation, and you were not defeated by it.Just as they try to trample you, you rise. pic.twitter.com/5XgBr5IDwX
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) May 1, 2019