South Africa Olympic Champion Caster Semenya Declares She's 'Unquestionably a Woman'

South Africa middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has declared that she's is "unquestionably a woman." 

The two-time 800m Olympic Champion's declaration comes ahead of hearing of a case challenging the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) proposal to restrict testosterone levels in female athletes at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

“Ms. Semenya is unquestionably a woman. She is a heroine and an inspiration to many around the world,” her lawyers say in a statement.

“She asks that she be respected and treated like any other athlete.”

The proposal by IAAF will reportedly create rules that would force the so-called “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “differences of sexual development” (DSD) to keep testosterone levels below a prescribed amount.

The three-time world champion has denounced the IAAF's proposals and has received backing from the South African government.

Her lawyers argue that her genetic gift should be celebrated not discriminated against.

“She looks forward to responding to the IAAF at the upcoming CAS hearing,” Semenya’s legal team notes.

Besides Semenya, other runners whose testosterone levels have been questioned include Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Kenya’s Margaret Wambui.

“I just want to run naturally, the way I was born. It is not fair that I am told I must change. It is not fair that people question who I am,” Semenya said previously.