Semenya still free to compete, says coach

CASTER Semenya's coach says the 800 metres world champion is free to compete internationally despite an ongoing gender test investigation.

Michael Seme said yesterday that he does not have details but learned from Semenya's lawyers that she can compete. "She's going to run in international events," Seme said, adding that she would start at local events as a training exercise.

Semenya has never been officially suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations, pending results of the gender tests. "We are still in the same position as before – no official IAAF comment until we have finished the inquiry – and I can't tell you how long the inquiry will take either," IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said.

Hours before the 800m final in Berlin in August, the IAAF said it had ordered gender tests to be conducted because of Semenya's muscular build and rapid improvement in times.

"They are through with all those things," Seme said.

Semenya was also tested in South Africa before the world championships, and in September, Australian newspapers reported that Semenya has male and female sexual organs. The IAAF refused to confirm or deny those claims.