SHOCKING: Caster Semenya has ANNOUNCED that she will fight legally against WA’s SRY gene regulations, claiming they violate personal rights and are unfair to female athletes. Sha’Carri Richardson has also publicly threatened WA to abandon the implementation of SRY gene testing for female athletes. Immediately after, legendary athlete Allyson Felix responded to the accusations from Semenya and Richardson with a controversial message, saying “Let this sport remain clean.”
In a bold and highly controversial move, Olympic champion Caster Semenya has announced that she will take legal action against World Athletics (WA) over its newly proposed SRY gene regulations, which she claims are discriminatory and a violation of basic human rights.
The SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) gene, typically found on the Y chromosome, plays a critical role in male sex differentiation. World Athletics’ proposed regulation aims to introduce SRY gene testing to determine athlete eligibility in female categories, claiming the move is intended to maintain fairness in women’s sports. However, Semenya and several high-profile athletes have condemned the policy as invasive and unjust.
Semenya, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and long-time advocate for gender equity in sports, said in her announcement, “These regulations target women like me — women who were born and raised female, who have competed fairly all their lives, only to be told they’re not woman enough. I will not be silent. I will fight this in court.”
Semenya has long been at the center of gender eligibility controversies, having previously been forced to lower her naturally high testosterone levels in order to compete. Her legal battle against WA has been ongoing for years, and this latest move signals a renewed fight over the intersection of biology, gender identity, and fairness in elite sport.
American sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson added fuel to the fire by publicly blasting World Athletics on social media, warning the organization to “think twice” before enforcing the SRY testing policy.
In a strongly worded post, Richardson stated: “Y’all keep pushing this idea that women need to prove they’re women just to run. What’s next? DNA at the starting blocks? WA better back off or face the backlash of every female athlete with a voice.”
Richardson, known for her outspoken nature and flamboyant personality, has positioned herself as a staunch supporter of athlete autonomy and body rights. Her comments have divided fans, with many praising her courage, while others accused her of undermining the governing body’s efforts to maintain competitive integrity.
Amid the uproar, legendary sprinter Allyson Felix — one of the most decorated female track athletes in history — weighed in with a brief but controversial statement on X (formerly Twitter): “Let this sport remain clean.”
Felix’s words have sparked debate, with some interpreting her statement as support for World Athletics and others accusing her of turning her back on athletes like Semenya who face exclusion due to natural biological differences.
The comment section quickly erupted, with athletes, fans, and advocacy groups weighing in. Some argued that Felix’s message implied support for discriminatory practices, while others defended her, claiming she was merely advocating for fairness and integrity in sport.
As the athletics world braces for a legal and public relations showdown, World Athletics has yet to formally respond to Semenya’s legal threat or Richardson’s accusations. With global attention now fixated on this controversy, the future of women’s sport may be entering a new and contentious era.
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