A row between the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and Athletics South Africa is brewing over the case of Caster Semenya, as the two governing bodies attempt to deal with the embarrassing fall-out of the affair, following her victory in the 800 metres.
"There's been contact at the highest levels, a frank exchange of views," Nick Davies, the director of communications for the IAAF, said. "They have their position and we have ours. They believe she's eligible to run, she's won a medal and we should leave her alone. There's a difference of opinion there."
Even within the IAAF there is a dispute over the fate of Semenya, should the sex verification process – currently under way – determine the gold medal winner to be male or intersex. Pierre Weiss, the IAAF acting general secretary, has said that Semenya would be forced to hand back her medal, but Davies says the decision would be more complex.
"There's a difference of opinion in the juridical sense. It's not actually that clear cut. If the evidence is overwhelming we have the possibility to change the result, that's absolutely clear.
"In a doping case there's an attempt to defraud so it's very simple to say you're guilty of something. What is she [Semenya] guilty of? This is in the higher realms of legal theory but it's a valid point." The results are due back in a few weeks.
