Semenya happy to be back

Caster Semenya made a happy return to the track on Thursday evening by winning the 800 metres event at a low-key meeting in Finland.

The world champion looked untroubled as she eased over the two-lap race in a time of two minutes 04.22 seconds at the Lappeenranta Games.

Semenya, 19, was given the all-clear by the International Association of Athletics Federations last week to resume her career having not competed in 11 months following the furore over her gender.

"I'm very happy," the South African told reporters immediately after finishing.

Finland's Mari Jaervenpaese finished second in a time of 2:04.71, with Ukraine's Olga Jekimenko third after completing the two laps in 2:05.00.

"It's better to run. I don't say I feel better about what happened," Semenya added after signing autographs for children.

"I forgot about it a long time ago. It was nice to come back. It is a new beginning actually."

The race took place in front of around 4,000 spectators and amid temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius. Semenya is due to race in two or three further events in Europe before deciding whether to compete at the Commonwealth Games in October.

"I think we are doing okay," Semenya said when asked about her chances of winning gold in Delhi.

"For me, running or not running was the same. Maybe it was good for me to rest after I ran the fastest time last year."

Semenya's next race is scheduled to take place in Lapinlahti, central Finland tomorrow.