CASTER REMAINS IN LIMBO

World champion runner Caster Semenya’s career will remain in limbo after Athletics South Africa (ASA) agreed to continue her suspension from running because of questions about her gender.

In a statement, the ASA said that it supported the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in its decision to not allow the athlete to compete until further notice.

“The IAAF have given the assurance of completing the process speedily and have requested that ASA abides by its decision until the process has run its course,” said the organisation.

It remains unclear why it has taken more than six months for the IAAF to assess Semenya’s gender tests.

Speaking to the Times, Semenya’s father, Jacob, said that the family was impatient with “those people who don’t want her to compete”.

Semenya came to international prominence after winning gold in the 800 metres at the Berlin Athletics World Championships in August last year. This was in the wake of news that the IAAF would test her to asses if she should compete as a woman.

Leaked test reports from the IAAF apparently suggest that Semenya does not have a womb or ovaries and has internal testes, but the organisation has refused to confirm or deny this.