Caster Semenya arrives in South Africa

Hundreds of South African fans dance while they wait for women's world 800 metres champion Caster Semenya Photograph: Karel Prinsloo/AP

Semenya greets supporters after arriving to an ecstatic welcome at OR Tambo international airport Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Semanya's triumph has been overshadowed by a 'gender verification test' ordered by athletics officials amid claims that she is actually a man Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Supporters of Caster Semenya sing, dance and cheer during the welcome ceremony Photograph: Paballo Thekiso/AFP/Getty Images

The controversy over the athlete's gender was met with indignation in South Africa and the crowd's welcome highlighted her popularity Photograph: Paballo Thekiso/AFP/Getty Images

The gold medallist looked uncomfortable for long periods in the glare of the international media Photograph: Themba Hadebe/AP

The teenager was greeted by hundreds of singing and dancing supporters in a patriotic show of defiance, pointedly been billed as a "heroine's welcome" Photograph: Karel Prinsloo/AP

The world champion greets her fans, but was described as too 'traumatised' to reflect on the controversy and did not speak at the press conference Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

People waved national flags and placards with messages such as 'Caster you beaut!', 'Our golden girl' and 'Our first lady of sport' Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA