After a long legal fight, South African runner Caster Semenya has won a key ruling at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The court found that Semenya did not receive a fair hearing from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) when she challenged rules that stopped her from competing in her best events.
On Thursday, the ECHR announced that the CAS had failed to properly review her case.
The court said the process did not meet the standards Semenya was entitled to.
Semenya, now 34, began her legal challenge in 2019 after World Athletics introduced new rules for athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD).
These rules blocked DSD athletes from running in events from 400m to 1,500m—unless they reduced their natural testosterone levels.
Semenya refused to take medication and was barred from the 800m, where she won Olympic gold in 2012 and 2016.
Though the ECHR rejected her claims about emotional harm, it ruled in her favor on the fairness of the hearing. As part of the ruling, Semenya was awarded €80,000 (about C$128,000).
Since the ban, Semenya moved to longer races, competing in the 5,000m at the 2022 World Championships.
Her last 800m race was in 2019, where she earned her 31st straight win.
This latest decision does not change the DSD rules or allow her to return to the 800m, but it could lead to further legal steps.
Semenya may now try again to challenge the policy at CAS or take other legal action.