‘I am a woman but a different kind’. The double Olympic gold medalist and three time World Championship winner Caster Semenya has spent her entire adult life trying to change people’s minds on the definition of womanhood.
One of the most recognisable intersex women in the world with a condition called DSD (differences in sex development), Caster’s has an elevated level of testosterone, which according to World Athletics, must be reduced by taking hormones in order for her to be allowed to compete professionally in women’s races. She took those hormones for six years but now refuses and is no longer able to run. Instead, she is fighting for change. Most recently, Caster took her case to the European Court of Human Rights where she won a discrimination case against World Athletics, but it doesn’t change her right to compete.
Following the release of her brilliant new book The Race To Be Myself,Caster speaks to Annie about her upbringing, the moment when her gender was first questioned on the world stage, differences and discrimination, why sport will never be fair, being a mother to two girls and her ultimate purpose.
You can buy a copy of The Race To Be Myself here.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes