KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: In a sigh of relief for Odia woman sprinter Dutee Chand, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has decided to keep the 100m and 200m races outside the purview of the new ‘hyperandrogenism’ rule announced on Thursday.
As per the new regulation and put under the heading of ‘Difference of Sexual Development’ the sports regulatory body has disallowed female athletes having ‘testosterone’ level above the permissible limit in their body from participating only in races from 400m to the mile, including 400m, 800m, 1500m, hurdles races, one-mile races and combined events over the same distances.
Hence, Dutee would now be free to participate in her track events which are limited to only 100m and 200m races.
“I would like to thank the supporters, well-wishers who stood firmly behind me throughout my bad phase and legal fight against the prevailing system. I express my gratitude to the State and Central Government for their support in my struggle which I have ultimately won. Now I could cherish my dream of doing something extraordinary for my homeland,” said Dutee in his reaction soon after the IAAF announcement.
The ace woman sprinter of Odisha had moved to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), based in Switzerland in 2015 after the IAAF’s ban on her from competition in 2014 on allegation of ‘hyperandrogenism’. She won the legal battle after CAS gave a ruling for suspension of the IAAF policy for two years and asked it to draft revised regulations. It also gave two years to provide more persuasive scientific evidence linking “enhanced testosterone levels and improved athletic performance” in female athletes.
Testosterone hormone, which is a male entity, is also produced in a woman’s ovary in small amounts. Women athletes who naturally produce this hormone above a permissible limit are barred from participating in women’s events due to its capability to improve performance.
Kalinga AI