Semenya lawyers consider legal action

Caster Semenya's lawyers believe the world 800 metres champion has been unlawfully banned from competition and are considering legal action to force Athletics South Africa (ASA) to allow their client to compete.

Semenya underwent gender verification tests after she won the women's 800 metres at the world championships last August and has not run competitively since.

ASA has said Semenya has not been banned from competition but that she has to wait for the results of her tests from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) which are not expected until June.

She attempted to take part in an athletics meet in Stellenbosch, South Africa on Tuesday and was prevented from doing so by ASA officials.

Benedict Phiri, a lawyer for Dewey & LeBoeuf, the law firm representing Semenya, said Semenya had to all intents and purposes been banned from competing.

"We are considering taking legal action against ASA to allow Caster to run," Phiri told Reuters.

"To our minds this is effectively an unlawful ban and it is for that very reason that we will vigorously fight to protect Caster's rights," he added.

Local media reported that Semenya's lawyers had sent a letter to ASA head administrator Ray Mali asking that their client be allowed to compete in a meet in Johannesburg on April 6.

If she was not allowed to run, the lawyers would launch an urgent court application to force ASA to allow Semenya to compete, the reports said.