Dispute over runner's gender angers South Africans

South Africa's ruling party yesterday leapt to the defence of a world champion runner undergoing a gender verification test, saying she was the country's "golden girl" and a role model for young athletes.

Caster Semenya, whose rapid improvement over last year prompted the test, won the women's world 800 metres title with a crushing performance in Berlin on Wednesday.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) General Secretary Pierre Weiss said an investigation into Semenya's gender was under way in South Africa and Berlin.

He said the IAAF gave the 18-year-old the benefit of the doubt and allowed her to compete but if the investigation proved she was not female the result of the race would be withdrawn.

"We condemn the motives of those who have made it their business to question her gender due to her physique and running style. Such comments can only serve to portray women as being weak," the African National Congress said.

"Caster is not the only woman athlete with a masculine build and the International Association of Athletics Federation should know better."

Semenya clocked 1 minute, 55.45 seconds for the year's fastest time and a personal best by more than a second.

A group of doctors, including an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist have started the gender test.