The South African teenager is awaiting the outcome of gender tests being conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which is scheduled to make a final decision on her eligibility by the beginning of June.

Semenya said: "Based on medical and legal advice, I am firmly of the view that there are no impediments to me racing in female athletics competitions."

She was prevented from running in a meet near Cape Town last Tuesday and threatened legal action.

Semenya said: "I believe that the decision to bar me from competing in Stellenbosch last week was unlawful and wrongful.

"I have however considered the request by Athletics South Africa (ASA) that I await the conclusion of the International Association of Athletics Federations’ processes by the beginning of June this year before I return to competitive athletics."

Semenya, 19, has not raced competitively since winning the gold medal at the World Championships in Berlin last August, which came shortly after the IAAF revealed it had ordered she undergo gender tests because of her muscular build and sudden improvement in 2009.

It has been widely reported that the tests showed Semenya is a hermaphrodite.

But Jeffrey Kessler, head of litigation at Dewey & LeBoeuf, the legal firm representing Semenya, claimed that she should be allowed to return to competition.

He said: "Ms. Semenya has done her utmost to cooperate with the IAAF to try to resolve this matter without resorting to formal proceedings.

Caster has every right to compete in IAAF events.

"She is entitled to a definite schedule for a resolution of this matter so her basic rights and dignity are respected.

"The current open-ended situation, with her status and eligibility the subject of constant speculation in the media, is causing great harm and distress, both to Caster and to all who believe in fair play in the sporting world."

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said he could only reiterate their official position on Semenya:

He said: "No comment until the case is concluded."


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March 2010: Angry Semenya ready to defy IAAF and race again
March 2010: Semenya lawyers claim she should be allowed to compete again
February 2010: Semenya will not run on South African circuit
January 2010: Semenya lawyer claims her rights are being infringed again
January 2010: Semenya plans to start competing again this month