Confusion as Semenya press conference is cancelled

CONFUSION and the name Caster Semenya have been linked together ever since the maelstrom that surrounded her 800m victory at last year's World Athletics Championships.

STILL IN LIMBO: Caster Semenya was due to make her comeback in Zaragoza next Thursday, but that race was cancelled because of a lack of funding (Getty Images)

The South African athlete was due to appear alongside sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile at a press conference in Johannesburg this afternoon.

Stofile was expected to confirm Semenya's competition status following the International Association of Athletics Federation decision to seek a controversial gender verification test.

Semenya, while not officially banned, has not competed since her win at the Olympiastadion and IAAF officials had claimed the matter would be finalised before the end of this month.

However, the public relations company that was organising the event has this morning issued a statement canceling the press conference.

They claim they were acting on advice from Stofile's department, who were thought to be keen that the matter was resolved before attentions are focussed on the FIFA World Cup, which starts with an opening ceremony at Soccer City tomorrow.

However, they have yet to provide any explanation for their decision.