SA athlete Caster Semenya. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images for World Athletics)

Caster Semenya’s costly legal marathon enters its last lap as the highest chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Wednesday begins a hearing into whether the double Olympic champion can be required to lower her testosterone levels to compete.

The 33-year-old runner won an earlier round at the ECHR, which last July ruled she was the victim of discrimination from the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“My hope is that World Athletics, and indeed all sports organisations, will take account of the ECHR’s decision and ensure that the dignity and human rights of athletes are respected,” Semenya said.