Assess athletes by dope tests, not hormones: Dutee Chand on Caster Semenya case

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, who successfully fought a case against the IAAF for their decision to ban her in 2015 on grounds of hyperandrogenism, says the dope tests should be enough to assess if a woman athlete can compete without any unfair advantage.

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand called for fair measures to assess athletes.

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, who successfully fought a case against the IAAF for their decision to ban her in 2015 on grounds of hyperandrogenism, feels sad for Caster Semenya.

The South African athlete and three-time world champion in 800m lost her case for similar charges.

“It is unfair to brand someone as having undue advantage just because she is physically strong and having these kind of hormones. No two individuals can be of the same physique and characteristics,” Dutee told Sportstar on Wednesday.

“If you look at the athletes from south Asia, they cannot be compared with the strong athletes say from USA or Jamaica. I feel bad for Semenya for she achieved so much sacrificing everything in life to be a champion athlete,” Dutee said.

“What else she will do now after losing this case? I wonder but pray that she is back on the track at her best very soon,” she added.

“I feel that the dope tests, as prescribed by the international body, should suffice to certify any woman athlete as fit to compete without any unfair advantage. Not on these grounds of having hormones which they feel give these athletes advantage,” she said.