Double Olympic champion Caster Semenya, who has been locked in a battle over her testosterone levels with athletics authorities, said on Wednesday that she has not felt supported by other women in sport.
The South African athlete will not be able to defend her 800 metres title at the world championships in September after the Swiss Federal Tribunal reversed a ruling that temporarily lifted testosterone regulations imposed on her.
"Since I have been in sport I have never really felt very supported, I've never felt recognized, mostly by women," Semenya said during a women's conference in Johannesburg.
Semenya is appealing the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ruling that supported regulations introduced by the sport's governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Athletes affected by the rules have levels of testosterone in the male range, the IAAF says, and they must reduce them to be allowed to run in women's events from 400 meters to one mile. The IAAF argues that testosterone's muscle-building capacity and ability to help athletes carry more oxygen in their blood gives Semenya and others like her an unfair athletic advantage over other women.
Despite the IAAF receiving support from some current and former athletes, the decision to reduce testosterone levels in women's athletics has also attracted criticism from human rights organizations. The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in support of Semenya in March.
"I think it comes more into the international stage when you see your own rivals come with these rude responses in terms of me competing against them," said Semenya.
British runner Lynsey Sharp said in May that she had received death threats for past comments she made about the South African.
"Whoever is going to stop me from running is going to have to drag me out of the track," Semenya said
The 28-year-old said she was undecided about whether she would switch to longer distances or pursue a career in another sport.
"In terms of changing events I haven't decided anything about moving up or moving down. I still consider myself a middle distance runner," Semenya said.