South African runner Caster Semenya doesn’t feel supported by women in her fight against policies barring her from competing due to her high testosterone levels.

Reuters reports Semenya made the revelation Wednesday during a keynote speech at a women’s conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“Since I have been in sport I have never really felt very supported, I’ve never felt recognized mostly by women,” she said.

The 28-year-old is disheartened by insults from other female runners who believe she should be excluded.

“I think it comes more into the international stage when you see your own rivals come with this… what can I call it… these rude responses in terms of me competing against them,” Semenya added.

Semenya has been battling the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over her right to compete with other women since late 2018. As Blavity previously reported, the IAAF passed a policy stating Semenya cannot compete in races between 400 meters and one mile with her current testosterone levels. Semenya would only be allowed to compete if she took medication to lower her hormone levels. So far, she’s refused and challenged the rules in court.

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court initially ruled in her favor but reversed its decision on July 29. The reversal means she cannot defend her 800-meter World Championship title in September, according to Runners World.

Despite the disappointing decision, Semenya isn’t pressed, reports Times Now News.

"I'm targeted because I'm undefeated…I'm the best at what I do,” she said at the women’s conference. "When you are the best in the world people get obsessed with what you are doing. Probably I'm a 'problem' because I'm an over-achiever so we must get rid of you."

Semenya is used to this treatment. She knew she was different when she was a child.

“I was always in the bush [training],” she said, according to Sunday World. “Bullies for me never existed because how I responded to them, was way rough. I was one of those young [ladies] that had no fear. I had goals. I knew that everything I touched would turn to gold.”

One time, a young Semenya used drastic measures to answer her peers’ nosy questions.

“They started questioning, are you really a girl? One day, I walked naked in the changing room [to prove to them],” Semenya recalled.

She credits her parents for creating an accepting environment in the family home.

“I think my parents raised me well. They have never questioned what I do, my feelings, how I see life,” Semenya said. “They accepted me for who I am. They could see that this one was a little bit different. I did not like being in the kitchen but being in the garden. I just wanted to give you background why I am tough, why am I fearless, why I do not care about what other people think about me.”

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