Switzerland's Court of Arbitration for Sport is hearing a challenge by champion South African runner, Caster Semenya, to plans forcing female runners with genetically high levels of male sex hormones to lower them.
The landmark case is expected to challenge science and gender politics. Some say Ms Semenya's case has echoes of Oscar Pistorius', an amputee 400 metre sprinter who ran with carbon-fibre prosthetics.
The International Association of Athletics Federations ruled in 2007 Pistorius was not allowed to race against people with natural ankles and feet, as his prosthetic limbs gave him an advantage when running at top speed.
In 2008, he successfully appealed against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The same court is arguing both cases have similarities, but Semenya’s case is largely unprecedented.
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