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South African Professor Quits IAAF, Slams "Unethical" Practice Forcing Female Athletes To Artificially Decrease Testosterone Levels

"I am confident that history will judge you and the members of the IAAF Council harshly for choosing to go down this route."

South African law professor Steve Cornelius resigned from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) after the announcement of its new testosterone regulations.

Last week, the IAAF issued a new rule banning women with naturally high testosterone levels from competing unless they agree to take medication. The new rule, expected to go into effect in November, applies specifically to track events from 400 meters up to one mile. Cornelius joins a growing list of critics who believe the policy is targeting South African runner and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya.

Sports and Recreation Minister Tokozile Xasa called the policy "sexist, racial, and homophobic." "This should have come a long time ago, not only when [Semenya] wins medals as a way to discourage her," the minister told IOL. "We see this as a targeted approach by the IAA."

Chris Mosier, a champion transgender duathlete and triathlete, also called the decision unjust and racist in a series of tweets.

Cornelius, who was appointed to the body’s disciplinary tribunal four months ago, said he cannot associate with an organization that "insists on ostracising certain individuals" in his resignation letter.

"How the IAAF Council can, in the 21st Century, when we are meant to be more tolerant and aware of fundamental human rights, even contemplate these kinds of objectionable regulations, is a sad reflection of the fact that the antiquated views of the 'old' scandal-hit IAAF, still prevails and that the promises of reform have been empty indeed," he wrote.

Cornelius told ThinkProgress he believes the IAAF reverse the regulations and apologize, but doesn't think it's likely to happen. Instead, he says athletes like Semenya may need to challenge the policy at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which has overturned similar regulations in the past.

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