Semenya 'a hermaphrodite'

Women's world 800m champion Caster Semenya is set to be banned from future competition with gender verification tests reportedly showing that the South African is biologically a hermaphrodite and has both male and female characteristics.

Semenya, 18, raced into a storm of controversy when she took out the 800m at the recent Berlin world championships, with questions raised about her physique and appearance after a dominant display.

The IAAF ordered gender verification tests to resolve the issue and while the official results aren't expected until later in the week, a source from within the IAAF has confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that Semenya is a hermaphrodite.

The report syas that she has no womb or ovaries and has internal male sexual organs which are the reason behind her high reading of testosterone.

The IAAF now has the delicate task of managing the politics of the situation with South African leaders having condemned the treatment of the gold medallist in the wake of her Berlin success.

"The problem for us is to avoid it being an issue now which is very personal - of the organs being a hermaphrodite, of not being a 'real' woman. It's very dramatic." the source has been reported as saying.

Semenya will be advised to undergo surgery as the condition can carry health risks. While she is likely to be allowed to keep her gold medal, she is unlikely to be able to compete against women again.