Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi Banned from Tokyo Olympics Events

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By Briasia Russ Published: July 5, 2021

Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi Banned from Tokyo Olympics Events

FILE - In this March 24, 2020, file photo, a man is seen through the Olympic rings in front of the New National Stadium in Tokyo. Tokyo Olympic organizers on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 announced a series of 18 test events set to begin in March and run into May. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

By Briasia Russ

Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi have naturally high testosterone levels, and as a result, have been banned from running in the 400-meter to 1,600-meter range in the Tokyo Olympics.

According to Sports Illustrated, it was reported by the Namibia National Olympic Committee that because of their high testosterone levels, the runners are no longer eligible to participate.

“According to the rules of World Athletics, this means that they are not eligible to participate in events from 400-meter to 1600-meter,” the committee said.

A World Athletics rule, which went into effect in 2019, caps athlete testosterone levels in women’s events from the 400-meter through the mile for athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD).

As reported by NBC Sports, this is indeed a World Athletics rule, which caps athlete testosterone levels in women’s events from the 400-meter through the mile that was passed in 2019.

Runners have the option of either moving up or down in distance, or taking testosterone-suppressing measures.

Both Mboma and Masilingi decided to move down in distance, making them eligible to participate in the Tokyo Olympic events.