Government backs Caster Semenya in her legal fight against World Athletics

Semenya is fighting for her right to compete in the 800m distance without being forced to take drugs that lower her natural testosterone levels, as mandated by the sports governing body.

Currently before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which earlier ruled in Semenya's favour that her original appeal to a Swiss Federal Tribunal was not properly heard – the outcome is now being appealed, with a verdict expected in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, back in South Africa, Mafu has told SABC Sport the government will fight tirelessly to help Semenya achieve justice.

“Look, we are supporting Caster because what she is fighting for is not for her as an individual, it is actually for the future of any athlete," stressed Mafu. 

"If she wins the case it will liberate even other athletes, who might face a similar situation. Of course, it is up to Caster to tell you how we are supporting them, but the government is fully behind them and we are supporting her.

“Her team of lawyers, herself, and the gender commission has also gone, and the human rights commission has also supported her. 

"The people who supported her in France were people from the SA government – the Gender and Human Rights Commission were there, and we didn’t go as a department because those commissions represented the country. 

"We’ve given them all the support and resources they needed."

Approached by SABC Sport, Semenya declined to comment, stating she is waiting for another hearing from the European Court before making her views public.

At 33 years old, whether she intends to compete again, should she win the drawn out battle, remains unclear, but a favourable outcome is undoubtedly set to make a global statement.

Semenya will not compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled for 26 July - 11 August.