SOUTH Africa's golden girl of athletics, Caster Mokgadi Semenya, has been given the green light by the world governing body to resume her career.
Semenya was informed by the government yesterday about the International Association of Athletics Federations' long-overdue decision on her career.
A media briefing is scheduled to take place at Ke Yona International Village for the 2010 Fifa World Cup at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg at 3pm today.
A source close to the athlete said: "Caster was phoned by Minister of Sport Makhenkesi Stofile earlier in the day on her cellphone.
"Stofile told her that there would be a media briefing (today) where the green light for Caster from the IAAF will be announced.
"We don't have any other information about the clearance. We hope that Caster and her coach Michael Seme will be briefed by government leaders prior to the announcement.
"Caster was smiling from ear to ear after the phone call came through. She is excited and can't wait for the big announcement."
Semenya has not competed since making history by becoming the first black South African woman to win a gold medal at the IAAF World Championships.
Semenya achieved the feat after winning the 800m final but she could not celebrate her victory after reports that her gender was in question.
She had planned to return to athletics on June 24 at a meet in Zaragoza, Spain, but the meet has been called off because of financial problems.
She broke her silence on the matter in Ivory Coast two weeks ago, where she received an honorary award from a sports association.
"I have been training very hard, hoping to compete in the South African track and field season. My goal is to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics," Semenya said recently.
After the IAAF began gender verification tests on Semenya, Athletics SA president Leonard Chuene and his board were suspended by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.
semenya is in the clear
SOUTH Africa's golden girl of athletics, Caster Mokgadi Semenya, has been given the green light by the world governing body to resume her career.
Semenya was informed by the government yesterday about the International Association of Athletics Federations' long-overdue decision on her career.
A media briefing is scheduled to take place at Ke Yona International Village for the 2010 Fifa World Cup at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg at 3pm today.
A source close to the athlete said: "Caster was phoned by Minister of Sport Makhenkesi Stofile earlier in the day on her cellphone.
"Stofile told her that there would be a media briefing (today) where the green light for Caster from the IAAF will be announced.
"We don't have any other information about the clearance. We hope that Caster and her coach Michael Seme will be briefed by government leaders prior to the announcement.
"Caster was smiling from ear to ear after the phone call came through. She is excited and can't wait for the big announcement."
Semenya has not competed since making history by becoming the first black South African woman to win a gold medal at the IAAF World Championships.
Semenya achieved the feat after winning the 800m final but she could not celebrate her victory after reports that her gender was in question.
She had planned to return to athletics on June 24 at a meet in Zaragoza, Spain, but the meet has been called off because of financial problems.
She broke her silence on the matter in Ivory Coast two weeks ago, where she received an honorary award from a sports association.
"I have been training very hard, hoping to compete in the South African track and field season. My goal is to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics," Semenya said recently.
After the IAAF began gender verification tests on Semenya, Athletics SA president Leonard Chuene and his board were suspended by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.