Semenya plans return to competition in June
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Caster Semenya, the 800m world champion at the center of a gender verification row, will return to competitive athletics at an international meet in Zaragoza, Spain on June 24, she said on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old South African underwent gender verification tests after she won the women's 800 at the Berlin world championships last August and has not run competitively since.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) has made it clear Semenya is not banned from competition but said she must wait for the results of her tests from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which are not expected until June.
The athlete attempted to run at a meet in Stellenbosch, South Africa on March 30 but was prevented from doing so by ASA.
"I believe the decision to bar me from competing in Stellenbosch last week was unlawful and wrongful," Semenya said in a statement on Tuesday.
"I have, however, considered the request by ASA that I await the conclusion of the IAAF's processes by the beginning of June this year before I return to competitive athletics.
"I have also instructed my legal representatives to seek confirmation by the IAAF that it will complete its processes by the beginning of June.
"Together with my coach and agent, I have therefore decided I will return to competitive athletics at the European Athletic Association (EAA) meet to be held on June 24 in Zaragoza, Spain," Semenya said.
Semenya said that, based on medical and legal advice she has received, there were no "impediments" to her competing in female athletics competitions.
The sport's international governing body declined to comment on Semenya's statement.
"The IAAF will not make any comment until the Semenya case has been concluded," spokesman Nick Davies said in an email to Reuters.
ASA head administrator Ray Mali said he would personally pressure the IAAF to make sure Semenya received her gender verification results in June.
"Everybody needs to be guided by the medical team, which top South African doctors are part of. As long as there is a cloud over her, there will be resistance to her competing. So we need to clear her with the international body first," Mali said on Tuesday.
Mali said there was a danger of Semenya being "humiliated" had rival athletes refused to race against her in Stellenbosch.
"The danger was that this young lady would be humiliated if other athletes refused to run against her, that was my fear," he said.
Semenya's coach, Michael Seme, believes she will be ready to compete in June.
"We chose to return in Spain because there are no more races in South Africa this season," he said.
