Semenya picked for Comm Games

Controversial women's 800m world champion Caster Semenya has been named in South Africa's squad for October's Commonwealth Games.

Semenya has been unbeaten in three competitive appearances after spending 11 months on the sidelines while undergoing a series of gender verification tests.

The 19-year-old made a triumphant return to Berlin's Olympic Stadium at the weekend, winning the 800m final at the IAAF World Challenge on Sunday in a time of one minute 59.9 seconds.

Her time was some way off the 1:55.45 she clocked at the Olympic Stadium track during the World Championships in August last year, her last race before the IAAF banned the then 18-year-old for returning a urine sample containing unusually high levels of testosterone.

The errant sample led to speculation that Semenya was born with a rare genetic abnormality that gave her an unfair advantage, a charge the IAAF has since cleared her of.

"I'm very happy to see the return of Caster Semenya to duty for South Africa," said Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

"We have observed her progress closely since the IAAF cleared her to run, and it's good to hear her say that she's focusing all her efforts on the Commonwealth (Games)."

"The fact she's unbeaten in her three races thus far and has improved her time on each occasion is good news for our medal effort in New Delhi."

Semenya will continue her preparation for the Games by running in Brussels on August 27, Rovereto, Italy on August 31 and Milan on September 9.

The Games begin in the Indian capital on October 3.