June 11 - Caster Semenya's future remains in doubt after a planned press conference to announce her comeback was cancelled at the last minute by South Africa's Sports Ministry.



The athlete had been expected to attend the conference along with her lawyers and mediator Brian Currin.

But Semenya's lawyers said the meeting was cancelled because the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had "not received a formal briefing".

"We have been advised that the press conference was cancelled by the Minister because the IAAF exco had not received a formal briefing on this matter from the medical team," said Gregory Nott, the lawyer leading the firm that has taken on Semenya's case.

"As such it is pre-emptive to make an announcement before the IAAF exco has considered the matter.

"The medical team's report will have to go to the executives of the IAAF first before any announcement is made," he said.

Nott claimed he was optimistic about the IAAF's findings on Semenya's tests.

"We do expect an announcement in the nearest future and it can only be positive," he said.

Semenya has not taken part in any competitive events since she won the 800 metres gold medal at the World Championships in Berlin last year.

But her dramatic improvement in times and muscular build led the IAAF to order the sex-verification tests.

The 19-year-old has been at loggerheads with the IAAF over protracted delays in the finalisation of the tests.

She has also been at odds with Athletics South Africa for barring her from competing, despite the IAAF clearing her to compete until her tests had been finalised.

Semenya recently defied the two bodies by declaring her intentions to return to the sport, starting in Zaragoza, Spain, on June 24.

The meeting has since been cancelled due to financial reasons.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies reiterated his statements that the international federation was not yet ready to comment on the matter as the process has not been concluded.


Related stories
April 2010: Semenya claims she will return to track in June
March 2010: Angry Semenya ready to defy IAAF and race again
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