The ECtHR’s Semenya ruling: A human rights game-changer for the transnational governance of sport?

On 13 October, the Asser Institute hosted a virtual discussion on “The ECtHR’s Semenya ruling: A human rights game-changer for the transnational governance of sport?” between Antoine Duval (Asser Institute), Daniela Heerdt (Asser Institute), Michele Krech (University of Chicago) and Lena Holzer (University of Cambridge). The speakers analyzed the ECtHR’s judgment in the Caster Semenya v. Switzerland case, rendered on 11 July 2023. They touched upon the impact of the judgment on the place of human rights (and in particular the ECHR) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the intensity of the supervision exercised by the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) over CAS awards, as well as the need for justification of the regulatory decisions of the sports governing bodies (SGBs). This discussion was the first of a series of (online and offline) events which will explore the way in which international SGBs and the CAS define the gender divide in international sports, police gender-based abuses, and secure gender-specific rights to athletes. ----- You can follow the work of the Asser Institute via our newsletter () and register for our upcoming events and trainings on our website ( ). 0:00 – 7:17 – Welcome by Dr Antoine Duval, Senior researcher Asser Institute 7:18 – 15:59 – Introduction by Dr Daniela Heerdt, Researcher Asser Institute 16:00 – 29:45 – Presentation by Michele Krech, University of Chicago 29:46 – 42:02 – Presentation by Lena Holzer, University of Cambridge 42:03 – 44:50 – Comments by Dr Daniela Heerdt, Researcher Asser Institute 44:51 – 52:52 – Comments by Dr Antoine Duval, Senior researcher Asser Institute