South African athlete, Caster Semenya, has slammed those in charge of athletics in Africa over their failure to support female athletes facing eligibility issues.
The Differences of Sexual Development rules introduced in 2019 had prevented Semenya from participating in her preferred category in athletics.
For the 31-year-old to perform in the categories between 400m and 1500m, she will have to lower her testosterone level as required by the rule.
“I think that, in this day, we have coward leaders,” Semenya said.
“In this continent, people are quiet. I don’t know why they’re quiet. They’re not fighting for their own athletes.
“You have got to show up and work, fight for your athletes, and then African athletics will be great. At this moment it’s disappointing.”
When asked by BBC Sport Africa about Semenya’s comments and whether African athletics leadership has done enough for its athletes, Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) president Malboum Kalkaba said: “Sorry, I do not have an answer”.