Semenya barred from racing

Johannesburg - Caster Semenya's lawyer has criticised a decision to refuse the runner a spot at a meet in Stellenbosch.

"The denial made by those to allow Caster to compete in last night's athletics meet in Stellenbosch was improper." Greg Nott, managing partner of Johannesburg law firm Dewey and LeBoeuf, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Nott said Semenya's advisers "will continue to represent her best interests with vigor."

Organisers refused Semenya, 19, permission to compete at Stellenbosch on Tuesday, saying she is an ineligible athlete because she is under medical advice from the sport's governing body the IAAF.

The 800m runner is waiting for results of gender verification tests ordered by the IAAF following her victory at the world championships in August.