Reaction: Semenya verdict 'dreadfully unfair and wrong in principal'

CAS ruled that the IAAF regulations are needed to ensure fair competition between athletes who compete in events ranging from 400 metres to a mile, but it has come in for criticism from former sports stars.

18-time Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova said: "The verdict against Semenya is dreadfully unfair to her and wrong in principle. She has done nothing wrong and it is awful that she will now have to take drugs to be able to compete. General rules should not be made from exceptional cases and the question of transgender athletes remains unresolved."

John Brewer, professor of applied sports science at Buckinghamshire New University, disagreed with Navratilova. "Overall, what this ruling means is that there is a greater chance of a level playing field on which all female athletes can compete – and that has to be welcomed.

"The IAAF finds itself at a crossroads. Given that CAS has ruled in its favour, it could simply breathe a sigh of relief and forge doggedly ahead with a regulatory approach that has plunged the sport into a quandary and which... has consistently proved scientifically and ethically indefensible."

Australian former middle-distance runner Madeleine Pape wrote in The Guardian, "This will prove to be the losing side of history: the pressures on the sport to change have intensified in recent years, and will surely not relent with this decision."

British former long distance runner Paula Radcliffe back CAS' ruling: "I understand how hard a decision this was for CAS and respect them for ruling that women's sport needs rules to protect it."

Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, Policy Development and Advocacy Fellow at South African NGO Sonke Gender Justice, criticised CAS. "Essentially it's reverse doping and it's disgusting. The decision will have far-reaching implications, not just on Caster Semenya, but it will also apply to transgender and intersex people. But I'm not surprised the IAAF's rules have been used to target women from the global south."

And South Africa sports minister Tokozile Xasa had this to say: "Naturally we are disappointed with the judgement. We will study the judgement‚ consider it and determine a way forward. As the South African government we have always maintained that these regulations trample on the human rights and dignity of Caster Semenya and other women athletes."