Having earlier agreed not to compete until the IAAF had finished its inquiry, the teenager said in a statement she was frustrated that seven months after Berlin, she was still waiting for a decision about her future.
 
Semenya said: "These processes have dragged on for far too long with no reasonable certainty as to their end.

"The result is that my athletic capabilities and earning potential is being severely compromised.

"I am an athlete first and foremost and it is vital for my competitiveness, my well-being and for my preparations for events during the European summer that I measure my performance against other athletes."

The 19-year-old had been hoping to return to action at a domestic meet in Stellenbosch tonight but was barred from competing by Athletics South Africa (ASA) on the advice of the IAAF.

Semenya turned up at the meet only to be told she was not allowed to take part.

It appears to have brought things to a head.

Ray Mali, the interim President of the ASA, said: "The IAAF have given the assurance of completing the medical process speedily and have requested that ASA abide by the world body's decision not to allow Semenya to participate in track and field events until the process has run its course."

Semenya's patience, however, has clearly run out.

She said: “I hereby publicly announce my return to athletics competitions.

"My coach, agent and I will work closely together to identify and prepare for a limited number of athletics meetings over the course of the coming season."

The IAAF has refused to explain the reason for the delay, or indeed make any public comment about the gender investigation.

Legally, Semenya is not suspended from competition and has kept her world title despite a leaked but unconfirmed report that she is a hermaphrodite, with raised testosterone levels that could give her an advantage over her female rivals.

Semenya confirmed that she had already received her prize money from the IAAF.

She said: "I am of the firm view that there is no impediment to me competing in athletics competitions.

"I will however continue to assist the IAAF with whatsoever they may require for their own processes."

Semenya also used her statement to hit out at her treatment before and after her Berlin triumph.

"Some of the occurrences leading up to and immediately following the Berlin World Championships have infringed not only my rights as an athlete but also my fundamental and human rights, including my rights to dignity and privacy."


Related stories
March 2010: Semenya lawyers claim she should be allowed to compete again
February 2010: Semenya will not run on South African circuit
January 2010: Semenya lawyer claims her rights are being infringed again
January 2010: Semenya plans to start competing again this month
December 2009: Semenya to sue IAAF and ASA in multi-million dollar lawsuits