Semenya omitted from South African team

ATHLETICS: 800 metre women's world champion Caster Semenya has been left out of South Africa's team for the upcoming African championships.

Semenya was cleared to run again by athletics' ruling body, the IAAF, last Tuesday after an extended lay-off following gender verification tests.

But South Africa's athletics federation said yesterday that Semenya will now work toward qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in India.

The 19-year-old had been expected to make her return to major competition at the African championships which start on 28 July in Kenya.

Semenya has not raced competitively since winning the 800 metre world title in Berlin in August 2009.