Caster Semenya free to return to the tracks
South African World 800m Champion, Caster Semenya, has been given the all-clear to return to the sport with immediate effect by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The 19-year-old has been out of the sport for 11 months after undergoing series of gender tests following her stunning performance in Berlin last summer, but can now resume racing.
She could opt to compete in the World Junior Championships in Canada later this month, the African Athletics Championships in Nairobi end of July and/or the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in October.
The IAAF statement read: "The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts that she can compete with immediate effect.
"Please note that the medical details of the case remain confidential and the IAAF will make no further comment on the matter."
Afterwards Semenya released a statement saying she was happy to be able to race again.
"I am thrilled to enter the global athletics arena once again and look forward to competing with all the disputes behind me." Semenya said.
Richard Stander from Athletics South Africa (ASA) said the Federation was "implementing the IAAF decision with immediate effect" and Semenya would now be considered for South Africa's team for the world junior championships, pending a fitness test in Pretoria on Wednesday requested by ASA.
"Of course we are happy," Stander said of the decision to clear Semenya.
"When an athlete cannot compete it is frustrating for them and frustrating for us as a federation."
Stander said the African championships in Nairobi and October's Commonwealth Games in India were more realistic targets for Semenya after her long absence from competition.
Caster Semenya - Biography
Born 07/01/1991 in Polokwane, South Africa
Personal Best
- 800 Metres 1:55.45 Berlin 19/08/2009
- 1500 Metres 4:08.01 Bambous 02/08/2009
Honours
World Champion - 800 Metres (12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics – Berlin 2009)
