Semenya cleared to compete
MONACO
July 7, 2010 - 1:10AM
Controversial athlete Caster Semenya has been cleared to compete as a woman after nearly a year of speculation over her gender, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) confirmed yesterday.
The IAAF has given the 19-year-old South African 800 metres world champion the green light to run again after reviewing the results of gender-verification tests.
“The process initiated in 2009 in the case of Caster Semenya has now been completed,” the IAAF said in a statement.
“The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts that she can compete with immediate effect.”
The IAAF added: “The medical details of the case remain confidential and the IAAF will make no further comment on the matter.”
Semenya has not run since leaked test results said she was a hermaphrodite following her win at the world championships in Berlin in August.
The incident sparked anger from the South African public and government, who have rallied behind the athlete.
AFP