The South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG) would like to pledge their support to Caster Semenya during her hearing this week at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. SASOG’s vision is to promote excellence and equity in women’s health, including that of our female athletes. SASOG is particularly concerned about the forced medical management of athletes, as a prerequisite for participation, as proposed by the IAAF. This proposed treatment is ethically questionable as it not only restricts one’s reproductive choices but may also be harmful, with adverse consequences to quality of life. Any non-medically indicated intervention must be carefully considered and the scientific evidence for its extent and safety must be totally sound and beyond question.

Prof Priya Soma-Pillay

Honorary Secretary of SASOG