Caster Semenya allowed to compete in World Championships final

By James Toney and Tom Oldfield, Sportsbeat, in Berlin

SOUTH Africa's Caster Semenya will be allowed to compete in tonight's 800m final at the World Athletics Championships - despite an official investigation into her gender.

The 18-year-old is one of the favourites for gold, having burst onto the scene by clocking the fastest time this year, by more than a second, at last month's African Junior Championships.

However, Semenya's explosive performances, along with her muscular physique and visible facial hair, have led to a number of questions being raised by rivals.

But South Africa athletics chiefs vehemently deny the claims, insisting Semenya is all woman.

However, the IAAF confirmed they were aware of the brewing controversy surrounding the athlete and revealed their complex investigations would be concluded 'within weeks'.