Running the Race Towards Dignity: Redefining the Finish Line & Human Rights in Global Sports

Today was a landmark day, a watershed event in global sports. Today was an important day for South African sports, although the game was not televised. Today was an even more important day for one of South Africa's foremost athletics icons, Caster Mokgadi Semenya. A day that has affected her professionally, and at a more meaningful level her personal day-to-day. 

Imagine being denied the right to compete in the sport you love, not because of a lack of skill or dedication, but because of an inherent characteristic over which you have no control. This is the reality that Caster Mokgadi Semenya, a beacon of resilience and determination, has faced in her illustrious career. Today's hearing at the European Court of Human Rights wasn't just a legal proceeding; it was a testament to the indomitable spirit of an athlete who has become a symbol of the fight for equality, dignity, and the right to participate in sports on one's terms.

As a Managing Partner at a Risk Management firm, and the founder of Supafit Brand, an Athleisure design and manufacturing company, my involvement in Caster Semenya's case has been both a professional engagement and a personal commitment to justice. From the outset of this journey in January, alongside a team of dedicated professionals and Caster's legal team at Norton Rose, we embarked on a mission not just to support an individual athlete but to champion a cause that transcends sports.

The challenges that Caster Semenya has faced go beyond the track. They touch on fundamental human rights issues that affect not only her but countless other athletes who find themselves at the intersection of discriminatory regulations and their identity. The appeal hearing today was not merely about contesting unfair sporting regulations; it was about challenging a system that seeks to define what is considered "normal" and "acceptable" in sports based on arbitrary criteria. In her own words, in a statement, she gave to the media yesterday in France: "I hope that the Court’s decision will pave the way for all athletes’ human rights to be fiercely protected, for once and for all, and inspire all young women to be and accept themselves in all their diversity.”

Our campaign for raising awareness and fundraising for the legal efforts was driven by a belief in fairness and the principle that no athlete should ever have to undergo medical interventions as a prerequisite for competition. Through corporate support from TNA Partners and Supafit Brand, we aimed to highlight not only the injustice faced by Caster but also the broader implications for human rights in athletics.

The journey to today's hearing has been fraught with challenges, setbacks, and sacrifices. Yet, it has also been a journey marked by profound solidarity, as individuals and organizations from various sectors came together to support Caster Semenya's fight for her right to compete. This solidarity reflects a shared understanding that this case is about more than one athlete's struggle; it is about affirming the dignity and rights of all individuals to participate in sports free from discrimination.

As we await the outcome of today's hearing, let us remember that this is not just Caster Semenya's fight. It is a fight for every athlete who has ever been told they do not fit into the narrow definitions set by regulatory bodies. It is a fight for equality, for justice, and for the right of every individual to be treated with dignity and respect.

Today was indeed a landmark day, not only for South African sports but for human rights worldwide. As we reflect on the significance of this moment, let us continue to stand in solidarity with Caster Semenya and all those who seek to challenge injustice wherever it is found.

• Opinion piece By Noné-Louis Morake, 15 May 24. This opinion does not reflect the views of any professional organization included in the initiatives and endeavours mentioned within.