Mboma: Out of sight, but not out of mind

Olympic silver medallist Christine Mboma has not participated in any races this year due to the regulations set by World Athletics (WA).According to these regulations, female athletes with differences in sexual development, resulting in high naturally occurring levels of testosterone, must reduce their blood testosterone levels to below 2.5 nanomoles per litre – half of the previously accepted level of five nanomoles – for a minimum of 24 months.The darling of Namibian track and field is sorely missed on the track due to this restriction.However, her coach, Henk Botha, has confirmed that Mboma will return to running early next year."Mboma is on a non-active phase for six months. She is busy with her business and promoting herself, as she needs to think of life after athletics. She is doing well, and we have plans for the new season."Close eye on Semenya caseBotha further explained that the recent developments in the case of South African athlete Caster Semenya indicate that this is not just an issue of WA rules but rather a human rights matter.The South African won a potentially landmark legal decision when the European Court of Human Rights decided she was discriminated against by rules in track and field that force her to medically reduce her natural hormone levels to compete in major competitions.Botha underlined that Semenya is a wealthy athlete with sponsors behind her, even more than the Namibian government can afford, and getting involved in court cases like this can take a lot of time, money and effort."The decision from us and the government is to support Mboma, and let’s prepare ourselves and go ahead with Mboma’s career and make her run according to the rules of WA, and if the rules change, we also change according to them," he said."It’s a complicated situation and we won’t divulge all personal information, but we can’t say someone is right and wrong here. We are training, and when we get to run again, Mboma will run," Botha added.Not straightforwardPresident of the Namibia National Olympic Committee, Abner Xoagub, further stated that it&#039;s key to understand the ruling that Semenya won: "The ruling found in particular that the applicant had not been afforded sufficient institutional and procedural safeguards in Switzerland to allow her to have her complaints examined effectively."The victory for the 32-year-old is largely symbolic as it does not call into question the ruling by WA and does not pave the way for Semenya to return to competition in the 800 m."We still have a serious challenge. The WA rule still stands and will stand, till it&#039;s challenged in a court, based on scientific evidence that elevated testosterone in female athletes do have significant impact on their performance. We do have a long way to go," he concluded.

Mboma: Out of sight, but not out of mind

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Republikein 2026-09-18

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Mboma: Out of sight, but not out of mind

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Republikein 2026-09-18

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