Caster Semenya and the Cage Fight for Justice

Abstract

Given how contentious and divisive the case involving South African runner Caster Semenya and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) eligibility policies is among sports fans, the media and academics, it is a good time for analysis of prominent arguments on both sides. We incorporate a discussion embedded in an account of a mixed martial arts (MMA) cage fight to address the ethical issues surrounding sex verification, the gender bina- ry in sport, testosterone and performance enhancement, and human rights. We consider this a unique way of examining arguments in support of Semenya’s eligibility to run in the women’s division and arguments against. While our treatment incorporates light-hearted ele- ments, we wish to emphasize that we do not mean to trivialize in any way the serious and im- portant issue under discussion and the harm that has already been done to persons as a result of IAAF policies.