World athletics’ governing body today introduced controversial new rules for female athletes who have high testosterone levels in a move seen as targeting South Africa’s double Olympic 800 metres champion Caster Semenya.

The new rules will allow such athletes to compete only if they take medication to reduce naturally occurring levels of testosterone.

Semenya has long raised controversy because of her powerful physique and deep voice, as well as revelations of hyperandrogenism, the medical condition which causes a person to produce high levels of male sex hormones.

Meanwhile, European court has ruled that Lionel Messi, the world’s top earning footballer, can trademark his own name.

The Barcelona and Argentina striker fought a seven-year fight to be able to use his name on sports goods.

His original application was challenged by the Spanish cycling brand, Massi, which argued that the names were too similar and would cause confusion. But the EU’s General Court ruled that the footballer was too well known for confusion to arise.

The ruling comes days after France Football magazine reported Mr. Messi had overtaken Cristiano Ronaldo as the highest earner in football, with an income of 126 million Euros.

Mr. Ronaldo is making 94 million Euros, the magazine said.

Taiwan National Day Celebration

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here