Chuene had resigned last month after accusing the IAAF of humiliating Semenya and violating its privacy rules in its handling of her case.

The IAAF ordered sex tests on the 18-year-old runner, saying questions had been raised about her muscular physique, running style and recent stunning improvement in times.

It has been widely reported that the tests have indicated that she has both male and female sexual organs, although the IAAF have refused to confirm or deny the allegations.

They have claimed that they will not make an announcement until November, after the Council, whose members include London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, is due to next meet in Monte Carlo.

Chuene said: "I took the decision [to resign] as an individual, emotionally."

He said that during an ASA meeting yesterday in Pretoria other officials said he had a duty to represent both South Africa and Africa on the IAAF board.

Chuene said: "They still want to see me contributing.

"I can make a contribution inside."

In a statement, the ASA said it had instructed Chuene "to withdraw his resignation from the Council of the IAAF and resume his responsibilities as mandated by Athletics South Africa ... and the Confederation of African Athletics."

ASA also commended Chuene, saying he has handled the Semenya "matter exceptionally well".

In contrast, it accused the IAAF of failing "to observe the confidentiality required to handle the matter of this sensitivity" and called on the international body to apologise to Semenya, "her family and the people of South Africa".

ASA has appointed a scientific and legal panel to work with the IAAF on the Semenya case.

Chuene said Semenya, a university student in Pretoria, had been receiving counseling, and was also supported by friends and family.

He said the teenager has been composed as the storm has grown in recent days.

Chuene said: "From where we are sitting, she appears strong."

ASA spokeswoman Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane confirmed the athlete was receiving counselling but denied a report that she is suicidal.

Mlangeni-Tsholetsane said: "She has not mentioned suicide.

"She is an extremely strong and determined young woman.

"But the past few days have been extremely difficult.

"The latest claim [that Semenya is a hermaphrodite] is so huge that the issue is now bigger than we can cope with.

"All we can do is help Caster."
 

Mlangeni-Tsholetsane  said Semenya has cancelled all engagements and interviews.

He said: "She is receiving trauma counselling.

"Every day she meets with psychologists who are trying to help her through what is happening around her.

"We are concerned for her wellbeing.''

But the case continues to polarise opinion in South Africa.

The ASA must appear before the country's Parliament's Sport and Recreation Portfolio Committee to explain its role in the furore over athlete Semenya (pictured), the Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded.
 

Donald Lee, the DA spokesman on sport, said: "ASA has violated Caster Semenya's right to dignity and must appear before Parliament."
 

He has written to Committee chair Butana Komphela asking that ASA appear before MPs "to explain fully its role in this matter".
 

ASA also needed to account for its failure to protect Semenya, he claimed.
 

Lee said: "ASA owes Caster Semenya and the South African public an explanation.

"The DA is going to fight to ensure that both get one."

Dorcus Semenya, the runner's mother, said  that she has been deeply hurt by this week's media reports that her daughter was a hermaphrodite.

She said: "If they had such doubts about her [gender], why did they wait until she won before they questioned who or what she was?
 

"Why did they allow her to compete before they complained?

"Would they have treated her this way if she had not won any race?

"No!

"That's so unfair.

"I don't care about what they say she [Caster] is, because I am her mother.

"But what makes me angry is that, as parents, we were not even told she was going to be tested.

"They acted like thieves who break into your house and do what they want.
 

"What is even more heartbreaking is that my child said she was not told anything about the tests.

"Now I heard they were trying to contact her about the results.

"How could they want to inform her about something she does not even know about?

"Is that fair?"

Dorcus Semenya claimed that her daughter was the victim of racism.

She said: "Maybe she didn't deserve to win because she is black.

"But my child does not deserve to be treated like this.

"She worked hard to get where she is today.

"If they don't want her to be a world champion, they must just say so and leave her alone."


Related stories
September 2009: South African President defends Semenya over gender doubt revelations
September 2009: Semenya is hermaphrodite reports claim
September 2009: South African official quits over Semenya gender test row
September 2009: Civil rights group claim action should be taken against ASA over Semenya row
August 2009: Diack launches investigation as support grows for Semenya