IOC proposes new rules on gender cases

Apr 5, 2011, 20:08 GMT

London - New rules are expected to come into effect by next year's Olympics in London on female athletes who have excessive levels of male hormones.

It follows a recommendation by the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in London Tuesday.

Under the new rules, a panel of independent medical experts would examine any cases of male hormone overproduction and make a recommendation on whether the athlete should be eligible to compete.

As part of the process athletes should first be referred to specialist medical centres to be advised on any treatment needed.

Strict confidentiality should cover the entire process, while a final ruling would be made by individual sports federation, IOC medical commission chairman Arne Ljungqvist said.

The issue of gender verification led to controversy at the 2009 world athletics championships when South African runner Caster Semenya was ordered to undergo sex tests after winning the 800 metres.

She was withdrawn from international competition until July 6, 2010 when the international athletics federation IAAF cleared her to return to competition.

The guidelines will go for final approval at the executive board meeting in Durban, South Africa, in July.

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