ASA board suspended after gender test controversy

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's Olympic body has suspended the president, board and members of Athletics South Africa over the handling of 800 metres world champion Caster Semenya's gender tests.

In a statement on their website (www.sascoc.co.za), SASCOC said: "The suspended individuals will appear before a disciplinary enquiry to answer charges of bringing ASA, the sport of athletics, SASCOC and sport in general into disrepute."

SASCOC added it was also considering taking action against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) "for its disregard of Semenya's rights to privacy."

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies was not immediately available for comment.

The world governing body has said medical experts will examine the results of gender tests on Semenya although a final decision is not expected before a IAAF council meeting in Monaco on November 20-21.

Semenya, 18, ran a personal best of one minute 56.72 seconds in July, eight seconds faster than her best time last year.

Because of her rapid improvement, the IAAF began a gender verification process prior to August's world championships in Berlin but Semenya was allowed to compete pending the outcome of the tests.

The teenager destroyed the field to take the 800 gold in 1:55.45, the fastest time of the year.

No decision on the tests is expected until later this month but the IAAF has declined to comment on a report in Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper in September which said Semenya had both male and female sexual characteristics.