Semenya gender row takes new twist

NEW 800 metres world champion Caster Semenya arrived back in South Africa to fresh controversy yesterday over levels of testosterone in her body three times higher than considered normal for women.

Semenya, who is facing tests on her gender by international athletics body the IAAF, provided samples before the World Championships in Berlin which showed the high levels.

Higher-than-normal levels can occur naturally but the 18-year-old will now be subject to detailed scrutiny to decide whether that is the case in this instance.