Caster Semenya, world champion and Olympic champion at 800 meters, fought for her body and has refused to be operated on or hormone treated. But in a documentary by German broadcaster ARD, other practitioners say that in a research study, they were pressured by IAAF for medical interventions to lower their naturally elevated testosterone levels.
- I often thought about killing myself. Maybe they should have been imprisoned, says a woman who chose to remain anonymous, but who in the documentary is called Lara.
"Lara" tells how she was pressured by IAAF representatives and faced an ultimatum: Undergo a gender correction, let yourself be hormone treated or stop competing. "Lara" describes how she finally chose to be persuaded.
Another woman that ARD has talked to states that she was also persuaded, to a hormone therapy. But when she woke up after the treatment, she had ulcers on her stomach.
In retrospect, she has been able to read in her journal that she had been subjected to a gender correction. Several years after the operation, the former elite athlete still lives with suites after the operation.
"Pure abuse"Sebastian Coe, president of the International Athletics Association, confirms that a research study has been ongoing.
- My medical team keeps me informed about the frameworks they can inform about. Of course, there are things they cannot discuss with me, with respect for the individual's integrity, he says.
The IAAF study is based on four cases of young, hyperandrogynous elite athletes with international success. According to the study, women have voluntarily agreed to do surgical and medical procedures.
Steve Cornelius, a retired member of the IAAF's disciplinary court, is strongly critical of the action.
- It's pure abuse. There were no medical reasons for the procedures. They were made solely for sporting reasons. I claim it is criminal.
The documentary will be published on SVT Play at 17 on Friday 27 September.