World Athletics: Christine Mboma cleared to compete in 2024

Sidelined by a World Athletic ban on athletes with differences of sex development, Christine Mboma has been cleared to compete in the 100m and 200m. Her coach Henk Botha announced the news on Tuesday 21 November. She will not, however, be able to run the 400m. "She will only be able to take part in the other events in a year and a half," Botha said.

At the start of the year, World Athletics introduced new rules on testosterone levels. The governing body had announced that female athletes with differences of sex development must reduce their blood testosterone level to below 2.5 nanomoles per litre, down from five previously, and must stay under that threshold for two years in order to compete in the female category at international competitions, in any athletics event. Namibians Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, along with Nigerien athlete Aminatou Seyni were subsequently excluded from the World Championships in Budapest.

A 400m specialist, Christine Mboama had been forced to run the 200m. She even won silver at the Tokyo Olympics. Under World Athletics' new rules, Christine Mboma had to undergo treatment to lower her testosterone level. That done, she hopes to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. "We are now going to focus on her qualifying for the Paris Olympics by continuing her preparation," her coach said.