Semenya plans to return
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World 800 meters champion Caster Semenya plans to compete this season even though the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has yet to resolve her gender verification case.
South African Semenya underwent gender verification tests after winning gold at last August's World Championships and has not competed since.
"I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions," the 19-year-old said in a statement on Tuesday, although no specific date was given.
"My coach, agent and I will work closely together to identify and prepare for a limited number of athletics meetings over the course of the coming athletics season.
"Given that I have not been disqualified nor suspended from athletics competitions and that I expected these processes to be expedited I, on my own volition, resolved not to compete in athletics competitions until these processes had been completed.
"Unfortunately, these processes have dragged on for far too long with no reasonable certainty as to their end.
"The result is that my athletic capabilities and earning potential are being severely compromised," said Semenya whose winning time in Berlin of one minute, 55.45 seconds was the fastest of 2009.
However, officials declined to let Semenya run at a local league meeting in Stellenbosch on Tuesday after the world champion, who was not entered for the event, turned up and asked for a place.
"Caster asked if she could compete, which is her right," organiser of the local meeting in Stellenbosch, Richard Stander, said.
"Unfortunately, there are IAAF rules regarding eligibility of events and athletes that we have to abide by and that was explained to Caster.
"Naturally she was upset but she accepted the decision," said Stander, who is also an administrator for Athletics South Africa (ASA). He said Semenya stayed on to watch the meet.
Semenya's statement came after ASA announced it would abide by the IAAF's request not to allow the athlete to compete until the world body had concluded its investigation.
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