International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach says he has a "lot of sympathy" for runner Caster Semenya.
South Africa's multiple Olympic and world champion lost her legal case against athletics' world governing body, the IAAF this week.
Semenya had challenged IAAF rules designed to limit testosterone levels in female runners but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) rejected her appeal.
Bach says he "respects" the decision.
To compete against women, Semenya will have to take medication to reduce testosterone or move up in distance to races over a mile long.

First-half goals send Mexico to comfortable 2-0 victory over Ecuador
Mbappe scores twice as France ease past Sweden 3-0 to reach last 16
Serena and Wawrinka go down fighting at Wimbledon
Norway edge Ivory Coast to advance at World Cup
Australia knock West Indies out to reach Women's T20 World Cup final
